The Column

The Column at Shirehall in Shrewsbury, a splendid token of gratitude and esteem, was erected in honour of the Right Honourable Rowland Lord Hill: Baron Hill of Almarez in Spain, and of Hawkstone and Hardwick Grange, the Commander in Chief of the British Army, a general in the army, Governor of Plymouth, and Colonel of the Horse Guards Blue.

For more information on Lord Hill follow the link.

The column is the largest grecian doric column in the world, By its interior staircase visitors can easily ascend its top where the views are various and extensive.

The dimensions of the column are:

Height of pedestal - 13 feet, 6 inches
Height of the shaft and capital - 91 feet, 6 inches
Height of pedestal for the figure - 11 feet, 6 inches
Height of the statue of His Lordship - 17 feet
TOTAL - 133 feet, 6 inches

Diameter of the column at the plinth - 15 feet
Diameter at the capital - 11 feet, 6 inches
Width of the flutings at the bottom - 2 feet, 4 inches

The pedestal is square with a pier of buttress at each angle, on which are placed lions couchant, worked of Grinshill stone (the same as the column) by Mr. Carline of Shrewsbury. The colossal statue of His Lordship was designed and executed by Messrs. Coade and Sealy of London, in their artificial stone modelled by Panzetta.

The first stone was laid on December 27th 1814 by the Salopian Lodge of Free Masons assisted by deputies from adjoining lodges, on the festival of St. John the Evangelist. The last stone was laid on 18th June 1816 the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. The total expense was 5,972 pounds, 13 shillings and 2 pence.

For more information regarding the Column or Lord Hill, please contact Shropshire Archives.