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Description: | Ornate three-bay facade with four niches at the first and second storeys each containing a free-standing stone figure. The expressive quality of the sculptures has been partially obscured by the wholesale application of cream paint. Additional Information: The four statues are of famous figures from Newcastle's past. Sir Henry Percy (1366-1403), known as 'Harry Hotspur', was knighted when only eleven and soon established a reputation as a fierce, but not especially skilful warrior; hence the name 'Hotspur'. His greatest exploit was at the Battle of Otterburn (NORT09 q.v.). After a number of successful campaigns against the Scots he met his downfall at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403 where he supported the insurrection against Henry IV.(1) Roger Thornton (?-1429) rose from impecunious beginnings to become an immensely wealthy Newcastle merchant and the town's mayor. As MP for Newcastle in 1400 he secured immunity for the burgess of the town from the Sheriff of Northumberland, a key moment in the town's history.(2) The main contribution of John Marley (1590-1673) to Newcastle's history was his defence of the King's interest in the town in the years preceding and during the Civil War. In 1644 he was imprisoned for his role defending the Castle against besieging Scots. However, he was soon released and allowed to go into exile on the Continent. Later, following the Restoration, he was the town's mayor on several occasions.(3) Thomas Bewick (1755-1828), artist-engraver, worked virtually all his life in Newcastle, principally as a metal engraver and copper printer. He was renowned internationally even in his own lifetime for his wood engraving, most famously his illustrations for 'A General History of Quadrapeds' and 'A History of British Birds' (TWNE21 q.v.).(4) | Subjects: | Statue | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Architect: Treleaven, M.V. | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=7523... | Go to resource |
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