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Queen
Victoria Comes to the Throne
Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 at the age of 18. The
British monarchy was in a state of disorder. The disappearance of the monarchy
could have been a possibility, as her predecessors George IV and William IV
had behaved irresponsibly. She was quite young and was soon under pressure
to marry.
Prince Albert
In February 1840, she chose who she was going to marry. It was a first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. After a bit of reluctance on the part of the Queen, he soon became her adviser and private secretary.
Being displeased with the archaic state of the royal household, he reorganized it and also started a study of politics. In 1841, he was appointed head of a commission to encourage the fine arts in Britain. His speeches to the working people showed ability and tact. Coupled with royal country tours, faith was restored in the monarchy.
In 1847, Cambridge University elected Albert chancellor. His ideas on education helped alter the academic program. He was interested in agricultural improvements. He planned and landscaped Victoria's winter home on the Isle of Wight. Late in 1861, Albert's health broke. He died of typhoid fever.
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A Queen with a Broken HeartShe was quoted as being an "utterly broken-hearted and crushed widow of forty-two." She never recovered from her grief at his loss. She withdrew from social activities and dressed in black for many years.
She decided to create a memorial for him. One possibility was altering Cleopatra's Needle on the Embankment. She rejected it and would choose something that would later on become called one of the great sculptural achievements of the era. It would combine the talents of some of the most famous sculptors and architects of the period. It was completed in 1868 but the statue of Prince Albert was only added in 1875. |
The Architect
The principal architect was George G. Scott who was inspired by miniature medieval shrines. There are 169 carved figures designed by H. Armstead and J. Philip making up the Frieze of Parnassus that was considered to be the favourite place of the mythological Greek Muses and was also the location of the oracle of Delphi.
The ArchitectureLooking at the statuary, there are separate groups. One of these represents the Continents of Europe, America, Asia and Africa. The other the Industrial Arts and Sciences of agriculture, commerce, engineering and manufacturing.
The materials used are incredibly varied. They comprise two varieties of granite;
a red and gray used for the pillars supporting the canopy. They are made
from individual stones and weigh approximately 17 tons. The capitals are
made with Darley Dale stone. The arches are of Portland stone. Pink granite
appears with marble in the pedestal on which the statue sits.
The Sculptors
The statue of Prince Albert required 4 sculptors. The first one was Carlo Marochetti, a favourite of the Queen but he died and was replaced by 3 others, two of whom died prior to its completion. |
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The 1990's Could Have Seen the Destruction of The Monument
Following discomfort with the Victorian period, the memorial suffered. Lack of
care, pollution and weather all had their effects. In the 1990s, is said, it
was proposed to destroy it while under scaffolding for repairs. Conservation
was finally accepted but it would cost 10 million British pounds. Luckily for
us all, it still stands today in all of its majesty.
Albert Memorial Chapel at Windsor
Another memorial to Queen Victoria's husband can be seen at Windsor Castle. In the western section of the keep that is called the Lower Ward, there is the Albert Memorial Chapel. Henry III began construction of this chapel, Henry VII rebuilt it, and Queen Victoria completed it in memory of her husband. King Edward VII was buried there in 1910.
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