2-703-874 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The Burghers of Calais in the Victoria Tower Gardens', c1935. The Burghers of Calais sculpture, Victoria Tower Gardens, Millbank, Westminster, London. Bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), with the Houses of Parliament in the background. Calais fell to Edward III of England in 1347, after a siege of almost a year. Six citizens offered their lives to save the town but were spared when Edward's wife Philippa intervened. The sculpture dates from 1895, although it was not placed in this position until 1915. From "Wonderful London, Volume 2", edited by Arthur St John Adcock. [The Fleetway House, London, c1935]