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The Tenantry Column |
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Not too far from Rothbury lies the County town of Alnwick. And a very pleasant place it is too, with its 'olde worlde' buildings, narrow winding streets, interesting market place and Alnwick Castle amongst other treasures. At the southern edge of the town, close to the hospital, and just opposite the erstwhile railway station stands the Tenantry Column: 83 feet of fluting, topped by the famous Percy Lion. Designed by Charles Harper it is arguably the most prominent memorial in Alnwick and was erected to the second Duke of Northumberland in 1816. But what was the story behind this monument to nobility? What brave deeds caused its commission? The story is interesting: During the 19th century local farmers profited, very nicely thank you, from the high cost of goods sold to support the war with France. The Duke, reviewing his rents, as one does, saw fit to suggest a small increase; double or possibly quadruple. And everyone was happy. Unfortunately when peace broke out, reduced prices in the market place created a cash flow problem and farmers were unable to meet the vastly increased rents. They commented on this to the Duke who reduced the rents accordingly. The tenants in their turn, felt beholden to such generosity and erected a column, topped by the Percy Lion to express their gratitude to the Duke and it was inscribed:
The Duke decided that if the tenantry could afford such an edifice then they could also afford the rents, which were promptly increased. The cost of this monument was such that with the re-imposed rental increase farmers were unable to survive and promptly went into bankruptcy. But the subscriptions were now insufficient to complete the monument and the Duke was forced to finish it himself. Noblesse Oblige! Also interesting as it is reported that the Duke died before its completion. A few small minded persons have suggested that this largesse was to merely satisfy the
ego of the Duke. But when you consider that on his death on July 10th 1817 it was reported
that the "Percy Tenantry volunteer artillery, cavalry and riflemen were clothed, paid
and in every respect maintained in arms at the sole expense of this patriotic
nobleman" then
it is possible that
the Duke may have intervened to save embarrassment all
round. This may have been a noble deed and not a selfish one. Whatever! The name However the plaque near the monument simply states that there is no evidence for this story. But it would wouldn't it? The question as to why the Lion's tail is proudly horizontal has often been raised. Is it some strange symbolism and what does it all mean? The Alnwick Gazette, in an excess of journalistic zeal, tracked down the reason: 'Making the tail straight, using a wrought iron rod, makes it stronger and also helps it stand out from a distance.' How disappointing! |
Farmers Folly was applied and has remained to this day.