The Falcon of the Plantagenets

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This sculpture showcases The Falcon of the Plantagenets, one of the Queen's Beasts. The original set of ten heraldic statues known as the Queen’s Beasts were produced by the Ministry of Works for the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953 by renowned sculptor James Woodford. It was ultimately decided that these statues would be gifted to one of the Commonwealth governments, and Canada was offered The Beasts. They accepted this offer in 1959, and now they stand in the Canadian Museum of History in Quebec. In 1956 a replica set of Queen’s Beasts were made again by James Woodford from Portland stone, donated to Kew, which is where visitors are greeted when approaching the main entrance of the Palm House. The Falcon was first used as a badge by Edward III of the House of Plantagenet. It descended to Edward IV, who took it as his personal badge - the falcon standing within an open fetter lock. This slightly open fetter lock is said to refer to the struggle Edward IV had in obtaining the throne - he forced the lock and won the throne.