Well Marked

THERE are many tributes to the first Duke of Wellington across Britain and, indeed, the English-speaking world.
One of the most recognisable, at least to Londoners, is this statue near the Bank of England in the City financial district.

The bronze duke ... unveiled on June 18 1844

The statue is made from captured French guns and was officially unveiled to the public, in Welllington's presence, on the 29th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
But, rather than commemorating the battle, it marks the City's gratitude to the duke for helping pass an act of parliament that improved access to London Bridge by the building of King William Street.
This was by no means Wellington's greatest victory, but his efforts were well-enough regarded to meet the £9,000 cost of the monument - equivalent in today's terms, if using average earnings as the marker, of more than £7.5million.