Arno's Court Triumphal Arch
Encyclopedia
Arno's Court Triumphal Arch is in Junction Rd, Brislington
, Bristol
, England
.
, for William Reeve, a prominent local Quaker and business man. It is built from Bath stone
, of classical proportions but with Gothic
and Moorish
detail. A plaque on the arch states that it was moved from its original position, as the entrance to the Black Castle Public House
, in 1912 and was fully renovated in 1995.
The niches on each side of the arch once contained carvings from the demolished City Gates. The rear elevation is much simpler than the front, and includes a carving of the City's coat of arms. Originally the building was the gateway to Arno's Castle, and was moved to form the entrance to Arno's Court Bath House in 1912.
The four statues which decorate the archway are 20th century copies of 13th and 14th century originals. The original statues of King Edward I
and King Edward III were set in one of the deep niches on the western side that have tent-like canopies. The original statues were taken from Bristol's Lawfords' Gate that was demolished around the time of construction of the arch. Those on the east-side are 13th century figures from Bristol's Newgate representing Robert, the builder of Bristol Castle
, and Geoffrey de Montbray, bishop of Coutances
, builder of the fortified walls of Bristol. The originals of all four were removed due to their deteriorating condition in 1898 and they are now in the St Nicholas's Church
Museum.
Brislington
Brislington is an area in the south east of the city of Bristol, England. It is on the edge of Bristol and from Bath. The Brislington Brook runs through the area in the woodlands of Nightingale Valley...
, Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Construction
The arch was built around 1760 by James BridgesJames Bridges (architect)
James Bridges was an architect and civil engineer working in Bristol between 1757 and 1763. He was the son of Henry Bridges, an Essex carpenter and clockmaker and famous for his Microcosm...
, for William Reeve, a prominent local Quaker and business man. It is built from Bath stone
Bath Stone
Bath Stone is an Oolitic Limestone comprising granular fragments of calcium carbonate. Originally obtained from the Combe Down and Bathampton Down Mines under Combe Down, Somerset, England, its warm, honey colouring gives the World Heritage City of Bath, England its distinctive appearance...
, of classical proportions but with Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
and Moorish
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
detail. A plaque on the arch states that it was moved from its original position, as the entrance to the Black Castle Public House
Black Castle Public House
Black Castle Public House is a historic building in Junction Rd, Brislington, Bristol, England. It is also known as Arno's Castle.It was built in 1745—1755 as a folly sham castle and office, but may have originally been a stable block and laundry for the lord of the manor...
, in 1912 and was fully renovated in 1995.
Carvings
The four statues which decorate the archway are 20th century copies of 13th and 14th century originals. The original statues of King Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
and King Edward III were set in one of the deep niches on the western side that have tent-like canopies. The original statues were taken from Bristol's Lawfords' Gate that was demolished around the time of construction of the arch. Those on the east-side are 13th century figures from Bristol's Newgate representing Robert, the builder of Bristol Castle
Bristol Castle
Bristol Castle was a Norman castle built for the defence of Bristol. Remains can be seen today in Castle Park near the Broadmead Shopping Centre, including the sally port.-History:...
, and Geoffrey de Montbray, bishop of Coutances
Geoffrey de Montbray
Geoffrey de Montbray , bishop of Coutances , a right-hand man of William the Conqueror, was a type of the great feudal prelate, warrior and administrator at need....
, builder of the fortified walls of Bristol. The originals of all four were removed due to their deteriorating condition in 1898 and they are now in the St Nicholas's Church
St Nicholas, Bristol
St Nicholas is a church in St Nicholas Street, Bristol, England.The first church was founded before 1154, with a chancel extending over the south gate of the city. The gate and old church were demolished to make way for the rebuilding of Bristol Bridge and the church was rebuilt in 1762-9 by James...
Museum.
See also
- Black Castle Public HouseBlack Castle Public HouseBlack Castle Public House is a historic building in Junction Rd, Brislington, Bristol, England. It is also known as Arno's Castle.It was built in 1745—1755 as a folly sham castle and office, but may have originally been a stable block and laundry for the lord of the manor...
- Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol