Statue: Westminster Abbey H - Esther John
Erection date: /7/1998
Site: Westminster Abbey - 20th century martyrs (11 memorials)
SW1, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey - west porch
Fourteen niches on the West Front remained empty since the Abbey was built until 1998 when they were filled. The lower four are filled with allegorical figures representing mercy, truth, justice and peace, the traditional virtues for which the martyrs occupying the ten upper niches might be said to have died. Their new occupants are carved from French Richemont limestone and each weighs almost a ton. It was decided that martyrs of the 20th century would be the subjects and sadly the election panel were spoilt for choice. The final selection is intended to be representative of the different areas of oppression around the world. Tim Crawley led the team of sculptors.
We have listed the statues in the sequence, left to right, of the niches they occupy.
The plaque is on the ground to the left, inside the railings.
