The Burghers of Calais - Stanford, CA, United States - Specific Wars Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com

"The Burghers of Calais

In 1884 the French city of Calais commissioned Auguste Rodin to create a memorial honoring heroes of the Hundred Years' War. He depicted the six burghers, or citizens, who in 1347 volunteered to leave the defeated city barefoot, tied to a rope at the neck, and offer their own lives and the keys to Calais to King Edward III of England.The burghers' fortitude, determination, and devotion to their community preserved Calais from being pillaged at the end of a devastating siege. The burghers are shown at the moment of departure from the city.

For Rodin this episode was an opportunity to celebrate the idea that heroic deeds may be performed by ordinary people. He did not follow tradition by idealizing the figures, rather he was uncompromising in his depiction of the emaciated hostages and represented them as distinct individuals. Their faltering steps, despairing gestures, and anguished expressions eloquently express the inner turmoil of each man struggling in his conscience between fear of dying and devotion to their cause.

This installation of independent casts was suggested by the sculptor's wish to have the figures set amidst the paving stones of Calais' town square so that the citizens of today might learn from the example of their heroic ancestors."

War: Hundred Years' War Is it permanently accessible to the public?: yes Is it necessary to pay a fee to gain access to the place?: no Year of the memorial or monument: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
At least a picture taken by yourself is requested. Try to provide a descriptive log of your visit to the local.

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Date Logged Log   09/11/2020 tugies visited it 03/21/2017 AZTech visited it

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