E a r l  G r e y 's   T o w e r

(T h e  r e f o r m  t o w e r)

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Text and Photographs on this page submitted by David Tomlinson

The square, rugged Earl Grey Tower on Stanton Moor near the Nine ladies stone circle, dates back to 1832, and was built by a Lieutenant Colonel Thornhill, by public subscription to mark Earl Greys electoral reform bill that gave everyman the right to vote. Previously it had just been the rich. The tower is simply decorated with narrow quarterfoil arrow slit windows. The plaque that was on it that depicted Earl Grey has been removed and now is in private hands.

Unfortunately, Earl Grey Tower on Stanton Moor has been closed for many years, and its stonework slowly falling into decay and the commemorative stone, carved with a coronet and 'Earl Grey 1832', lost from above the now blocked-up doorway. The English nation has good cause to remember Charles, Second Earl Grey, who as Whig Prime Minister, came to power in 1830 when voting rights were the prerogative of the rich and semi-starvation, the lot of the poor. Demonstrations demanding parliamentary reform were fiercely put down; for example the Riot Act was read in Derby after a mob had over-run the town, and two rioters were shot and killed after freeing two of their number from Derby gaol.
Grey's Reform Bill was twice thrown out by the House of Lords, jealous guardians of the exclusive rights of the upper class, but due to Grey's perseverance was passed in June 1832 at the third attempt. The square, gritstone Earl Grey Tower shares its interesting site with a Bronze Age cemetery, stone circles and a number of natural rocks carved with patriotic references, like this tower commissioned by the Thornhills of Stanton Hall.

Visiting:-

Unfortunately, David did not inform me if the tower was situated on private land, although I would fancy that it is not.

Co-ords SK 251 634, 425100,363400

 

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