Early English Kings: Medieval Monuments Remade


Small but interesting display at the National Portrait Gallery of casts from the tombs of early kings of England.
The casts were produced in the late 19th century by the gallery these on the grounds that the tombs are the nearest thing we have to portraits of these monarchs.  Taken from Westminster Abbey, Gloucester Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral they show the Plantagenet family from Edward II to Henry IV and including the Black Prince.
It was lovely that these figures were shown upright so that you could look into their faces. Even though the notes said the figure of the Black Prince was not a good likeness it was the most striking statue as he was wearing full amour including helmet and therefore seemed to show more shape to the body. 

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