Page 6 - Hampdens Monument Unveiled

THE OXFORD CHRONICLE AND READING GAZETTE
SATURDAY JUNE 24th 1843
No 334
HAMPDEN COMMEMORATION
ON CHALGROVE FIELD

A small and unembellished monument has just been erected on
Chalgrove Field, Oxon, to commemorate the patriotism and
virtues of John Hampden, who, in the reign of the first
Charles, was amongst the foremost and most unflinching
advocates of the nation's rights, in opposition to the unjust
and oppressive system pursued by the King against the liberties
and happiness of his subjects. On Monday last the monument was
completed, by the placing of a neat medallion portrait of the
patriot, carved in marble by Scoular, in a recess on the
eastern side of the pillar. On the western side are placed the
Hampden Arms, the motto being, VESTIGIA NULLA RESTRORSUM. On
the side facing the north is the following inscription, written
by Lord Nugent:-

"HERE,
IN THIS FIELD OF CHALGROVE,

JOHN HAMPDEN,
AFTER AN ABLE AND STRENUOUS
BUT UNSUCCESSFUL RESISTANCE

IN PARLIAMENT,
AND BEFORE THE JUDGES OF THE LAND,
TO THE MEASURES OF AN ARBITRARY COURT,

FIRST TOOK ARMS,
ASSEMBLING THE LEVIES OF THE ASSOCIATED COUNTIES

OF BUCKINGHAM AND OXFORD,
IN 1642;

WITHIN A FEW PACES OF THIS SPOT,
HE RECEIVED THE WOUND OF WHICH HE DIED

WHILE FIGHTING IN DEFENCE
OF THE FREE MONARCHY

AND ANCIENT LIBERTIES OF ENGLAND,
JUNE 18, 1643

IN THE TWO HUNDREDTH YEAR
FROM THAT DAY

THIS STONE WAS RAISED
IN REVERENCE TO HIS MEMORY"

On the south-side are the names of those who raised the
subscription with which the monument has been erected. These
names follow the words “Raised by subscription, June 18, 1843."
Among the names were the following:-