Statues - Hither & Thither

Site Search:

Knaresborough
North Yorkshire
Yorkshire & Humberside

Market Place

Mother Shipton

Born Ursula Southeil, Knaresborough c. 1488 - 1561
an English soothsayer and prophetess
(Wikipedia)

Christopher Kelly
2017

Description

Statue of Ursula Southeil, better known as Mother Shipton, sitting on a bench, with on het lap an open scroll with illustrations. Next to her 'stands' a hat on two feet, with on the edge a shell with teeth eating a frog. Behind her back is a Mother Shipton as a puppet and some toy animals.

Knaresborough - Mother Shipton

Inscription(s)

In the pavement:

1488 MOTHER SHIPTION 1561
PROPHETESS and SOOTHSAYER

TRADITION and CUSTOM

LEGEND and MYTH

with appreciation
THE GEORGE A MOORE FOUNDATION

On the back of the bench is a plaque with the names of the sponsors, and a plaque with text in braille.

Sculptor

Christopher Kelly, British sculptor from Harrogate, North Yorkshire (Website).

Sources & Information

Vic Allen, Monumental Oversights: Public sculpture in Yorkshire (Halifax 2019).
BBC News, 3 October 2013, Knaresborough campaign for Mother Shipton statue; and 2 October 2017, Mother Shipton statue unveiled in Knaresborough.

Locatie (N 54°0'28" - W 1°28'0") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbyh149; Photograph: 29 July 2019
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

Your banner here? Click for information.