S t o w e  G a r d e n s

W o l f e ' s  O b e l i s k

&

C o n d u i t  H o u s e

The Obelisk at Stowe is built on Farmland, some distance outside of the grounds, at the Northeastern corner of the Grecian Valley. It is built from stones used in the construction of an Obelisk that used to stand on an island at the centre of the Octagon lake, but was demolished in 1754.

James Wolfe was born in 1727. At just the age of 17, he was already serving in the army in his Father's regiment. He fought on the continent and in Scotland, but it was to be during the American campaign against the French in the seven year war in the 1750's, at the siege of the Fortress of Louisburg, that he rose to fame as a great soldier. He had led his platoon up a very steep cliff by bayonet, to a very well defended French position, and had there routed out some 1000 enemy troops.

James was made Major General in January 1759. In July of the same year, he commanded 9000 troops and sailed up the St. Lawrence River, landing 4 miles from Quebec City on the Isle of Orleans, and began a campaign unleashing several attacks against the French. However Quebec City was heavily fortified with batteries of mounted guns and a host of nearly 14000, plus an additional 1000 not so friendly indians at Beauport on the other side of the river, and his war efforts were to be in vain..

But Major General Wolfe thought of a new, surprise battle plan. on September 12th, he ordered, against the will of many of his officers, to take with him a vast company, and under the cover of darkness they paddled down the river. After landing they climbed the "un scaleable" high cliffs above the plains of Abraham overlooking the city, and at daybreak, Wolfe had nearly 5000 of his troops with two mounted guns in position there. He led his forces 1 mile across the open plains to bravely meet the French head-on at the town's gates. In the terrible battle that ensued, and just before the battle was won, General Wolfe was shot 3 times in the chest and he died, but his men fought on and they captured the town. Wolfe was heard to utter the cry as he lay dying, "They run!"

The General's body was brought back to England and buried with full military honours at Greenwich on November 17th. Prime Minister William Pitt called for a Monument to be erected in memory of James. Earl Temple at Stowe shared a relationship with Pitt, (Brother's in law), and he dedicated the new Obelisk at Stowe, as one of the many monuments around the country to be built in honour of the great General James Wolfe, another being a large statue of him, found in Greenwich park in London.

Below: The General's Obelisk at sundown.

C o n d u i t  H o u s e

(G o t h i c  U m b r e l l o)

The Conduit House or Gothic Umbrello as it is also referred to, is constructed again on Farmland, some distance away from the Ha-Ha, at the northeastern end of the Grecian Valley. It is visible from the car park and the Fane of Pastoral Poetry, and was restored in 2002. Before its restoration, it had fallen into a state of neglect, with the loss of its slated roof and its Gothic windows falling into decay. It is noted by many of the Project Archaeologist's at Stowe, that it covers the source of a stream with an underground chamber acting as a cistern. Now re floored and lime washed, it catches the eye of the visitors as it brightly glows in the afternoon sunlight. Above the door to the building is a coat of arms to the Marquess of Buckingham, its date being 1793.

Below: The Obelisk in relation to the Gothic Umbrello.

 

 

 

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