Isle of Wight prisoners chip in for King's Coronation exhibition

An exhibition to commemorate King Charles’ accession to the throne, HMP Isle of Wight decided to recreate eight Heraldic figures; ones which had originally been commissioned for Henry the VIII’s wedding to Jane Seymour and replicated for the Queen’s coronation back in 1953.

“In doing this, we offer a salute to the King’s late mother, while also celebrating the King’s accession to the throne,” said Seamus Bebbington for the prison.

The project comprised The Lion of England, the Unicorn of Scotland, The Dragon of Wales, The Yale of Beaufort, The Black Bull of Clarence, The Falcon of the Plantagenets, The White Greyhound of Richmond, and The Griffin of Edward III.

Seamus Bebbington, Rex Moss, Michael Kewell and HMP IW governor Doug Graham. (Image: County Press)

The heraldic figures can be found on many everyday items, such as postage stamps, coins, as well as on civic buildings and churches.

The figures stand 6ft high and are made from waste material from corporate work undertaken at the prison.

“It was about creating an exhibition I dare say not many have done for the King’s Coronation,” said Seamus, 61; a uniform member of staff who has also exhibited at Quay Arts.

Seamus Bebbington discussing the pieces with HMP IW governor Doug Graham outside Albany House. (Image: County Press)

“I came up with the concept and had a word with woodwork instructors Rex Moss and Michael Kewell.

“Everything is on a budget, and this is all made from waste product; it would have all been thrown in a skip.

“This project is the only thing I’ve proposed at the prison, and I started working on it at home, in March, when I had some time off work.

Some of the figures on display outside Albany House. (Image: County Press)

“Originally, all these heraldic figures were commissioned by Henry the VIII, for his wedding to Jane Seymour.

“Then, in 1953, someone came up with the idea of replicating them for the Queen’s Coronation, and they were sited at Westminster Abbey.

“After that, they were displayed all over the country, and put into storage and later gifted to Canada.

Some of the figures on display outside Albany House. (Image: County Press)

“I looked at these and worked out how we could make them with the materials we had.

“We’re looking at in excess of 40 hours to draw them, and collectively around 300 hours to build them.”

The prisoners, who helped with cutting them, sanding them down, and spraying them with a protective coating, were over the moon with the end result.