6. Statue of King William III
Why we chose this location
William III and Mary II signed the English Bill of Rights into law in 1689. They became co-rulers in England after the overthrow of King James II.
The bill outlined specific constitutional and civil rights and ultimately gave Parliament power over the monarchy. Many experts regard the English Bill of Rights as the primary law that set the stage for a constitutional monarchy in England. It’s also credited as being an inspiration for the U.S. Bill of Rights.
Some of the key liberties and concepts laid out in the articles include:
Freedom to elect members of Parliament, without the king or queen’s interference
Freedom of speech in Parliament
Freedom from royal interference with the law
Freedom to petition the king
Freedom to bear arms for self-defense
Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail
Freedom from taxation by royal prerogative, without the agreement of Parliament
Freedom of fines and forfeitures without a trial
Freedom from armies being raised during peacetimes
An earlier historical document, the 1215 Magna Carta of England, is also credited with limiting the powers of the monarchy and is sometimes cited as a precursor to the English Bill of Rights.
The act limited the power of the monarchy, but it also bolstered the rights and liberties of individual citizens. Without the English Bill of Rights, the role of the monarchy might be much different than it is today.
The statue of King William III
In the centre of Queen Square on a tall rectangular plinth stands J. M. Rysbrack’s equestrian statue of King William III, dating from 1736. It was erected to signify Bristol's Whig support of the Crown and Parliament Recognition Act 1689.
As with paintings, it was customary at that time to show kings and warriors in classical costume rather than contemporary clothing, and the King is shown wearing Roman clothes, with toga, cloak, and Roman sandals, and seated on a cloth rather than a saddle.
During World War II the statue was moved to Badminton and subsequently restored and returned to the square in 1948.
Information was taken from history.com and Bob Speel's website on sculpture.
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