The Arrivall
The Arrivall
Located on the Stonehills Roundabout on the A38 Tewkesbury to Gloucester road are the two magnifiicent wooden sculptures which make up the "The Arrivall".
The sculptures commemorate the 1471 Battle Of Tewkesbury and the title ‘The Arrivall’ is taken from the title of an abbreviated account of Edward IV’s recovery of the English throne from Henry VI in 1471. The opposing armies are each represented by a single monumentally-scaled oak sculpture.
The Yorkists are represented by "Victor" a five meter high knight on horseback holding an eight meter long traditional lance topped with a pennant.
"Vanquished" is the riderless horse with a similar lance resting across its back and its head is bowed. It represents the defeated Lancastrian army.
The sculptures have been constructed from green English oak by artists Philip Bews and Diane Gorvin based in the nearby Forest Of Dean. The oak construction reflects the timbers seen in many of the historic buildings in Tewkesbury.
A Description of the Battle of Tewkesbury:
The Kynge apparailed hymselfe, and all his hooste set in good array; ordeined three wards; displayed his bannars; dyd blowe up the trompets; commytted his caws and qwarell to Almyghty God, to owr most blessyd lady his mothar, Vyrgyn Mary, the glorious martyr Seint George, and all the saynts; and advaunced, directly upon his enemyes; approchinge to theyr filde, which was strongly in a marvaylows storng grownd pyght, full difficult to be assayled.