Listed Building record MWX320 - King's Statue, Weymouth

A free-standing monument to George III erected 1809-1810 to the designs of James Hamilton. The figures and detail in Coade stone are said to be the work of Mr Sealy, of the firm Coade and Sealy, on a massive Portland stone pedestal. The King, in Garter robes, holds the sceptre in his right hand, and is backed by various insignia, including, to his right, the crown on a cushion, Royal Standard and Union Flag. To his left are a pile of books and a large oval shield of arms. These items stand on a cavetto base, on a lofty rectangular pedestal with moulded capping and base, on a plinth of two high steps. To each side is a further low pedestal, not coursed or bonded to the main stonework, carrying fine gilded figures; to the Kings right a lion, and to his left a unicorn. This splendid memorial has a commanding location, but now serves as part of a traffic island. Scheduled and listed.

The Kings Statue, monument to George III, standing at the N. end of St Thomas Street and St Mary Street, was set up in 1809. It was designed by James Hamilton, architect. The architectural features are of Portland stone; the sculptures are of Coades artificial stone. The latter were painted in naturalistic colours in 1949. The monument has a large, tall podium with moulded plinth and cornice, the die being inscribed on the N. face 'The grateful inhabitants/To GEORGE THE THIRD/On His entering the 50th Year/ Of His REIGN' and signed 'J HAMILTON/ARCHT': on the S face is a long record of the celebrations on the occasion of the anniversary, the distribution of moneys collected and the inception of the scheme for providing the monument together with names of donors and of persons concerned with its erection. Standing on the podium is a full length statue of the King, facing N., in Garter robes, carrying a sceptre; behind him is a table supporting the royal crown and books and flanked by the flag of the Union and the royal arms (1801-16). On low bases adjoining the podium to E and W are a lion and a unicorn couchant. Listed as 'most worthy of preservation'. <2> <3>

Additional Bibliography. <4>

1808 ESPLANADE King's Statue SY 6779 SE 14/106 12.12.53. I GV Monument to King George III erected 1809-10 to the designs of James Hamilton, architect. Massive Portland stone pedestal with inscriptions front and back commemorating the erection of the monument by the inhabitants of Weymouth, and the 50th anniversary of George III reign. The pedestal bears the standing figure of the King in Garter Robes carrying a sceptre and backed by elaborate insignia and low bases flank the pedestal carrying recumbent lion and unicorn. The figures are of Coade's artificial stone, repainted in bright naturalistic colours, and are said to the work of Mr Sealy of the firm of Coade and Sealy. <5>

(SY 681795) The King's Statue. Scheduled. <6>

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale, 1958 (Map). SWX1197.

Kings Statue (George III) (NAT)

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 1, XXXI (Monograph). SDO148.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 338 (Monograph). SDO150.

‘(9) THE KING’S STATUE (Plate 176), monument to George III, standing at the N. end of St. Thomas Street and St. Mary Street, was set up in 1809. It was designed by James Hamilton, architect. The architectural features are of Portland stone; the sculptures are of Coade’s artificial stone. The latter were painted in naturalistic colours in 1949.
The Monument has a large, tall podium with moulded plinth anc cornice, the die being inscribed on the N. face ‘The grateful Inhabitants / To GEORGE THE THIRD / On His entering the 50th Year / Of His Reign’ and signed ‘J. HAMILTON / ARCHT’; on the S. face is a long record of the celebrations on the occasion of the anniversary, the distribution of moneys collected and the inception of the scheme for providing the monument together with names of donors and of persons concerned with its erection. Standing on the podium is a full length statue of the King, facing N., in Garter robes, carrying a sceptre; behind him is a table supporting the royal crown and books and flanked by the flag of the Union and the royal arms (1801-16). On low bases adjoining the podium to E. and W. are a lion and a unicorn couchant.’

<4> Newman, J, and Pevsner, N, 1972, The Buildings of England: Dorset, 452 (Monograph). SWX1290.

<5> Department of the Environment, 14 June 1974, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Borough of Weymouth and Portland 1974, 70 (Scheduling record). SWX1839.

<6> Department of the Environment, 1978, Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monuments of England (Vol 2), 84 (Monograph). SWX1687.

<7> DOE (HRR), 22 Dec 1997, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Borough of Weymouth and Portland amendment 1997 (Scheduling record). SWX1946.

<8> Historic England, Historic England Archive, BF112250 (Index). SDO14738.

Weymouth 210

<9> Historic England, Historic England Archive, BF112999 (Index). SDO14738.

Seaside Project: Weymouth

<10> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OP10380 (Index). SDO14738.

The large statue of King George III (1760-1820) was erected on the Esplanade in 1809-10 to celebrate his golden jubilee. King George III popularised Weymouth as a seaside resort during his 14 summer visits here between 1789 and 1805.

<11> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OP10381 (Index). SDO14738.

A view south from the Esplanade towards the pier. The large statue of King George III, who popularised Weymouth as a seaside resort during his 14 summer visits here between 1789 and 1805, can be seen on the right.

<12> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451653 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 2 2022 9:01AM