PEMBROKE is gearing itself up for the grand unveiling of the much-anticipated statue of William Marshal on Saturday, May 7. The ceremony will take place at 2pm on Monkton Mill Bridge, just beneath the walls of Pembroke, which will form a stunning background for the statue.
Said Pembroke Mayor Linda Asman “It has long been an ambition to erect a statue to William Marshal, one of the great heroes of our history and a man who was Earl of Pembroke. Pembroke has a prestigious history: so many great figures are associated with it, including of course Henry VII, who we have celebrated with the popular statue on the Mill Bridge and look forward to a future Henry Tudor Visitor Centre.
William Marshal was a remarkable man and every bit as great as a king. A minor noble by birth, he rose to prominence from sheer ability, super star of the tournament, mentor to 5 kings, defender of Magna Carta and Regent of England. Known in his own lifetime as the Greatest Knight, this man became Earl of Pembroke and left us a legacy – the castle built of stone. He certainly deserves a statue!
It has once again been my privilege to work with sculptor Harriet Addyman, whose outstanding bronze statue of Henry VII has been such a success. It was in 2019 that Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society, with the support of Pembroke Town Council, commissioned Harriet to make the statue. Following the public consultation in Pembroke Town Hall, Harriet’s maquette (miniature) of the statue was displayed for public inspection and the fund-raising campaign was launched. It was greeted with great enthusiasm and generosity both from individuals and local organisations, although the task of raising such a great sum was greatly facilitated by generous donations from Mr Richard Evans, Valero and a successful application to PCC’s Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund. “
The statue has been cast in bronze by the Castle Fine Arts Foundry, near Oswestry, where it is awaiting transportation to Pembroke on May 5th when it will be installed on its plinth below the Castle. At the ceremony on May 7th, the statue will be unveiled for all to see by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mr. Meurig Raymond CBE DL, – a magnificent, life-sized bronze knight mounted on his horse.
The unveiling will be followed by a community celebration in Pembroke Castle which has been funded by the kind generosity of Pembroke Town Council and Pembroke Castle Trustees who are allowing free entry to the Castle from 2.30-5 for the occasion. In case of bad weather, a marquee will be erected on the Castle grounds in which there will be stalls and a programme of entertainment, music and activities has been planned to run throughout the afternoon, including a concert by Pembroke Male Voice Choir, scheduled for 3pm. For children there will also be a competition for the best dressed knight and princess with prizes for the winners
To add to the occasion, visitors will be able to find out more about William Marshal and his times from the Living History Society, Historia Normannis, whose aim is to allow people to engage with history – seeing, feeling and hearing first-hand aspects of the lives and deaths of 12th century people – Knights, freemen, craftsmen, ladies of the court and Barons of the realm. During this event they will be looking at the arms and armour of medieval knights, such as William Marshal, the tourneys he loved so much and the brutality of medieval combat.
Everyone is welcome to join in to celebrate, with us, our Greatest Knight. Any queries please contact
Pembroke Town Hall, Main Street, Pembroke 01646 683092
