King William III

Category: Statue

Statue of King William III, Cathedral Square.

King William III, Prince of Orange (1650-1702) was King of England from 1689-94 with his wife Mary. When she died he reigned on until his own death. William III was a controversial monarch, responsible for many changes in society. He is commemorated in this bronze equestrian statue, dressed like a Roman emperor in sandals and a laurel wreath. He would not actually have dressed like this, but the sculptor, (possibly Peter Scheemakers), wanted to make him seem as great as an emperor of Rome. The statue was erected in 1735 by the Governor Of Madras, James MacRae. The plaque on the plinth remembers 300 years since "The Glorious Revolution" of 1688-89. The horse's tail is attached by a special "ball and socket" joint which allows it to move in the wind.