Location
Broad Street, intersection with the Longate, Peterhead
Peterhead, Aberdeenshire
Date
1833
Description
Monument; erected in 1833 , it was erected by local ‘Tories’ (Conservatives) on the site of the market cross to celebrate Parliamentary reform. A Roman Doric column surmounted by the arms of the Earl Marischal with a lion above; this coat of arms was originally in a gateway to Inverugie castle, recently restored.
Related Information
The Reform Act of 1832 resulted in Peterhead becoming a 'Parliamentary' burgh. Along with the royal burghs of Elgin, Banff, Cullen, Inverurie and Kintore, it formed the Elgin Group, which returned one member to the House of Commons. Male householders, whose property was valued at £10 or more annually, were enfranchised for the first time. Local Whigs decided to commemorate the passing of the Act by erecting the 'Reform Tower' (Meethill monument) on the Meethill on the southern outskirts of the town.
Era
1800s
Related Artefacts
Categories
Iconography
- classical motifs
- heraldic motifs
- lion
- stag or other deer
Photographer
- Stanley Bruce
Unavailable Data
- OS Map Reference
- Information Source
- Creator
- External Links
This content was submitted by external contributors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Aberdeen.