Tenantry Column facts for kids

The Tenantry Column is a tall monument located just south of the town of Alnwick in Northumberland, England. It stands as a special thank you from local farmers and families to a kind leader.

What is the Tenantry Column?

The Tenantry Column is a very tall stone pillar. It is about 83 feet (25 m) (or 25 meters) high! This is roughly the height of an eight-story building. The column is built in a style called "Doric," which is a classic design from ancient Greece.

The Percy Lion on Top

At the very top of the column, you will see a large stone lion. This lion is called the Percy Lion. It is a famous symbol of the historic House of Percy family, who were very powerful and important in the Northumberland area for hundreds of years.

Why Was the Column Built?

The Tenantry Column was built in 1816. It was designed by an architect named David Stephenson from Newcastle. The monument was put up by the tenants (people who rented land or homes) of the second Duke of Northumberland.

A Thank You for Lower Rents

The tenants built this column to show their gratitude to the Duke. He had reduced the rents they had to pay for their land and homes. This was a very big deal for the families living and working on his land. Building such a large monument was their way of saying a huge "thank you" for his kindness and support. This happened about 24 years before Nelson's Column was built in London!

A Hidden Secret Inside

There is a special secret hidden inside the foundations of the Tenantry Column. Buried deep within the stone is a small space. Inside this space, there is a glass tube. The tube holds a very old document written on vellum (a type of treated animal skin). This document is the regimental roll of the "Percy Tenantry Volunteers." These were local volunteers who helped protect the area a long time ago.

Images for kids

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  The Tenantry Column, Alnwick