Recall the Glorious Revolution. It brought William III to the English throne. Here in St James’s Square, we gaze upon the equestrian statue of William III.
This statue wasn’t a quick project. Samuel Travers, an MP, left money in his will in 1724 for its creation. But it took over 70 years. John Bacon Senior got the commission in 1794, but he died before finishing it. His son, John Bacon Junior, completed it in 1808.
The William III Statue depicts William as a Roman general. It takes inspiration from an earlier statue in Bristol by John Michael Rysbrack. William sits atop a spirited horse. His hairstyle is from the late 17th century, despite the classical garb.
Look closely at the base of the William III Statue. Some say it shows the molehill that tripped William’s horse, Sorrel. This fall at Hampton Court led to his death.
Jacobite supporters of James II even toasted “the little gentleman in velvet” after William’s death. They were referring to the mole. The William III Statue stands as a reminder of William’s reign and the events surrounding his death.
Originally, the William III Statue stood in an octagonal pool. However, they drained it in the 19th century. Inscriptions adorn the plinth. One reads “GVLIELMVS III”. The other says “I. BACON, IVNR. SCVLPTR. 1807”.
The William III Statue is a Grade I listed structure. This means it’s of exceptional interest.
Consider the story of its creation and the subtle details. Notice the molehill. It represents a pivotal moment in history. The William III Statue in St James’s Square immortalizes William III. It reminds us of his impact on England.