Equestrian statue of William the Conqueror, Bronze monument in Place Guillaume-le-Conquérant, Falaise, France
The equestrian statue of William the Conqueror depicts him mounted on a prancing horse while holding a ceremonial banner, with six bronze statues of Norman dukes arranged around the central figure. The monument stands in the center of Place Guillaume-le-Conquérant and commands attention through its sculptural composition.
The statue was unveiled in 1851 through national subscription and honors William, who was born in Falaise in 1027 and became King of England in 1066. The six ducal figures were added later in 1875 to complete the representation of Norman ruling lineages.
The monument depicts William mounted on a rearing horse holding a ceremonial banner, surrounded by six statues of Norman dukes. This arrangement reflects how the town honors its connection to this ruling dynasty and the role of Norman leaders in medieval history.
The monument sits centrally in Place Guillaume-le-Conquérant near the town hall and Trinity Church, making it easy to locate. The site is accessible on foot from multiple sides of the square and visible from a distance.
The composition incorporates design elements from the Bayeux Tapestry, creating a visual link to medieval art traditions of the region. This transforms the work into more than a simple monument and connects it to one of the area's most important historical sources.
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