Monument to the 7th Earl of Carlisle

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The monument, in 2007

The Monument to the 7th Earl of Carlisle, also known as the Carlisle Memorial Column, is a historic structure associated with Castle Howard, a stately home in North Yorkshire, in England.

George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle, was the owner of Castle Howard, and a prominent politician. He died in 1862, and a monument was commissioned for a location atop Bulmer Hill on the approach to the estate. It is in the form of a 110 feet (34 m) column. It was designed by Frederick Pepys Cockerell, with work commencing in August 1867, and being completed in 1869. The project cost £2,600.[1][2]

The monument was twice struck by lightning. It was hit by a bomber during World War II, which caused the brazier at its top to fall. A new brazier was created to the original design and set atop the monument in 2002.[3] The monument was grade I listed in 1954.[4]

View of the monument, along the approach road to Castle Howard

The monument is built of granite and sandstone,[4] sourced from near Whitby.[1] It consists of a tall column with garlands hanging down on the north and south sides, a capital carved with scrolls, heads and acanthus leaves.[4][5] It is surmounted by a gilt-bronze tripod, which supports a gilded brazier, embellished with a design of flames and swans' heads, designed to reflect the sun.[3] The column stands on a base approached by steps, with rusticated quoins, an inscription and a plaque, on a platform with knights' helmets on bases at the corners.[4][5] The column is 7 feet 4 inches in diameter and is hollow, but no internal staircase was provided, Cockerell contending that its elevated position already provided excellent views.[2]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "The Carlisle Memorial". The Building News. 16 August 1867.
  2. ^ a b "Carlisle Memorial Column, Castle Howard". The Builder. 30 April 1870. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b Wainwright, Martin (20 December 2002). "Labour of love recreates Castle Howard's gilded brazier". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Monument to the 7th Earl of Carlisle". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b Grenville, Jane; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2023) [1966]. Yorkshire: The North Riding. The Buildings of England. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-25903-2.