Is it possible that a lead plaque could encapsulate a life as complex as Cardinal Manning’s? The Cardinal Manning Plaque before us commemorates Henry Edward Manning. He was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster. The London County Council erected this plaque in 1914. It marks a place where he once lived.
Let’s delve into the details of this memorial. The Cardinal Manning Plaque is located at 22 Carlisle Place in Westminster. Specifically, it’s on the Francis Street elevation of Manning House. This building has quite a history itself.
Manning House was built around 1867. H. A. Darbishire designed it as the Guardsmen’s Institute. Its architecture reflects the eclectic style of the 1860s. The building features stock-brick palazzo. It has nine bays and three and a half storeys. The arched windows add to its unique character. Later, it served as the Archbishop of Westminster’s Palace from 1873 to 1901. In the 1960s, Rolfe Judd reconstructed it into offices. A slate mansard was added with sash dormers.
The Cardinal Manning Plaque itself is made of lead. This is a detail noted in Lawrence Weaver’s 1915 book, “Memorials and Monuments.” The book even shows a drawing of the memorial. Interestingly, the erection date in the drawing is 1913, not 1914. This suggests a possible delay in its installation.
There are only three plaques of this design in London. The others commemorate Thomas Stothard and Micheal Balfe. This makes the Cardinal Manning Plaque even more special.
Why was a plaque erected for Cardinal Manning so long after his death? Manning died in 1892. Yet, the plaque wasn’t placed until 1914. It’s worth pondering why there was a 20-year gap. Perhaps it was a renewed interest in his work or a desire to honor his contributions to the church.
The inscription on the Cardinal Manning Plaque simply reads: “CARDINAL MANNING (1808-1892) Lived Here.” It’s a concise statement. It marks his connection to this place. It invites us to remember his life and legacy.