Visitors to New College will be well familiar with the statue of John Knox that looms large in the quad—a memorial that vividly depicts his dramatic place in Scottish history. The building renovation work of recent years has given us occasion to consider the place of others in that history, and in particular, prominent women whose stories also form the backdrop to our school. Under the leadership of Prof. Susan Hardman Moore, that reflection led to the celebrated Scottish sculptor Tim Chalk being commissioned to create a bronze plaque of Knox’s contemporary, Mary of Guise (1515-1560), for the quad. The mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, her palace on the Mound fell into ruin, before eventually being demolished in 1845, when New College was built.
Chalk, who had previously contributed work to John Knox House, reflects on his new subject: “She was quite a complex person, an astute political operator, with a clear vision of the art of ruling and a strong sense of personal survival. I’m pleased by the juxtaposition of her with Knox because, generally, women’s place in history hasn’t been recognised. This adds a balance to that.”
The Mary of Guise plaque was installed in the entrance to the New College quad in May 2023. We are delighted to see our building adorned by a piece of remarkable sculpture that reminds us of our site’s fascinating local history, and that also challenges us to reimagine our community in the present. The New College community is indebted to Tim Chalk for his contribution to our school.
