Whittington Stone
TheWhittington Stoneis an 1821 monumental stone and statue of a cat at the foot ofHighgate Hill,a street, inArchway.It marks roughly where it is recounted that a forlorn character ofDick Whittington,loosely based onRichard Whittington,returning to his home from thecity of Londonafter losing faith as ascullionin a scullery, heardBow Bellsringing from4+1⁄2miles (7.2 km) away, prophesying his good fortune leading to the homage "Turn again Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London!" This quotation and a short history of the man cover two faces of the stone.[1]The pub next to it is of the same name.[2]
Details
[edit]
The large tablet was erected in 1821, restored in 1935, and the cat sculpture was added in 1964. It is a two-segment slab ofPortland stone,"the inscription to the south-west side now almost completely eroded, that to the north-east [tells] the career of the medieval merchant and City dignitary Sir Richard Whittington (c.1354–1423), including his [three/four] terms as Lord Mayor".[2]The memorial marks the site where 'Dick Whittington', returning home discouraged after a disastrous attempt to make his fortune in the City, heard the bells ofSt Mary-le-Bowring out, 'Turn again Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London.'[2]On top is the 1964 sculpture of a cat byJonathan Kenworthy,in polished-black Kellymount limestone. Iron railings, oval in plan, with upper flourishes and spearhead finials above and an intersecting circular return (an "overthrow" ), surround it.[2]The stone and railings are negligibly raised by a small broad stone plinth mainly set into the surrounding pavement. It has had statutory protection aslisted,in the initial grade II category, since 1972.
The location of the stone was considered the northern part ofUpper Holloway,until some decades after the nearby arched bridge was built in the early 19th century.
Other legacies
[edit]Aside from cultural references including a nursery rhyme, story and plays, the Lord Mayor was praised for ensuring the building of a maternity hospital and drains for the poor of London during his lifetime. He left his wealth to a broad-based charity which continues into the 21st century helping people in need.[3]
References
[edit]- ^The London Encyclopaedia,Pan Macmillan, 2011, p. 1023,ISBN9780230738782
- ^abcdHistoric England."Whittington Stone along Highgate Hill, c. 15 metres south of junction with Magdala Avenue (1298038)".National Heritage List for England.
- ^Charitable Trusts— TheWorshipful Company of Mercers(Mercers' Company)
