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Title: Stoodley Pike, Todmorden - RDA00139
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Title
Stoodley Pike, Todmorden - RDA00139
Description
Stoodley Pike refers to a 1400 feet (400m) hill, although it is better known for its 121feet (37m) monument which was designed by local architect James Green and completed in 1856 at the end of the Crimean War.
The monument replaced an earlier structure completed in 1815 to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon. It collapsed in 1854 after a lightning strike, as a result of which a lightning conductor was added which has proved to be successful. It was paid for by public subscription, the shortfall being covered by the Fielden family. It is believed that the inscription below was cut by Mr Luke Fielden and that Mr John Fielden himself wrote the words.
The weathered inscription reads:
STOODLEY PIKE. A PEACE MONUMENT ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION. COMMENCED IN 1814 TO COMMEMORATE THE SURRENDER OF PARIS TO THE ALLIES AND FINISHED AFTER THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO WHEN PEACE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1815.
BY A STRANGE COINCIDENCE THE PIKE FELL ON THE DAY THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR LEFT LONDON BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854. IT WAS REBUILT WHEN PEACE WAS RESTORED IN 1856. RESTORED AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR FIXED 1889.
The monument replaced an earlier structure completed in 1815 to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon. It collapsed in 1854 after a lightning strike, as a result of which a lightning conductor was added which has proved to be successful. It was paid for by public subscription, the shortfall being covered by the Fielden family. It is believed that the inscription below was cut by Mr Luke Fielden and that Mr John Fielden himself wrote the words.
The weathered inscription reads:
STOODLEY PIKE. A PEACE MONUMENT ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION. COMMENCED IN 1814 TO COMMEMORATE THE SURRENDER OF PARIS TO THE ALLIES AND FINISHED AFTER THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO WHEN PEACE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1815.
BY A STRANGE COINCIDENCE THE PIKE FELL ON THE DAY THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR LEFT LONDON BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854. IT WAS REBUILT WHEN PEACE WAS RESTORED IN 1856. RESTORED AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR FIXED 1889.
Source
Rene Dawson
Rights
PHDA - Rene Dawson Collection
Relation
Pennine Horizons Digital Archive
Identifier
RDA00139.tif
Collection
Citation
“Stoodley Pike, Todmorden - RDA00139,” Pennine Horizons Digital Archive, accessed April 20, 2024, https://penninehorizons.org/items/show/24850.
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