Heraldic Lion Figure -- Sessions House, Hamilton BM
N 32° 17.636 W 064° 46.889
20S E 332256 N 3574410
A fierce heraldic lion in the entryway niche at Sessions House in Hamilton, Bermuda
Waymark Code: WMNER7
Location: Bermuda
Date Posted: 03/01/2015
Views: 1
In the 1930s, a carved limestone heraldic lion that had previously stood as a decoration on Westminster Palace in London was removed sent to Bermuda as a gift. Today it stands in the entryway to Sessions House in downtown Hamilton, Bermuda. The lion holds
a shield with the initials "VR", meaning Victoria Regina, Queen of England (monarch from 1837-1901).
A framed note nearby explains the history of this figure:
"THE SCULPTURED FIGURES
These two sculptured figures were presented to Bermuda by the Houses of Parliament at Westminster. They were part of the exterior decoration of the Palace of Westminster, but the soft magnesium limestone having proved to be particularly susceptible to the erosive effect of the London's smoke and fog, they were replaced by others about the year 1930. The figure on the left depicts King William II holding in his hand a model of Westminster Hall and the one on the right was, in its original setting, and unidentified companion figure which adjoined that of King John. The heraldic lion in the corner niche has the same origin. They are the work of John Thomas, a Welsh stonemason, who carved them in the 1840s."
Physical Address: Sessions House Church St Hamilton, Bermuda
Web Site: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Take a photo of the lion.