Statues - Hither & Thither

The 13th century Priory of Augustinian Friars stood on this site until 1538.

Arms of the de Birmingham family subsequent owners of this land.

The Bull Tavern and later the Saracens Head Posting and Coaching Inn stood here in the 16th century.

THE SQUARE designed by William Westley was built by Thomas Kennery in 1713.

Edmund Hector, Surgeon and Doctor, lived at No. 1 where he was often host to Dr Johnson [Wikipedia]. Johnson's last visit was a month before he died on 13th December 1784.

John Wilkes the famous Lock Maker lived at No. 9 1613-1734.

Left: Lloyd the Banker [Wikipedia] lived at No. 13 in 1770, the early bank motif was a beehive.
Right: At No. 11 was the 'Great Room'. In 1765 a Ball was held there for the Duke of York.

Top: Samuel Galton Jnr. lived at No. 13 in 1780. He was a fellow member with Boulton, Watt, and others of the Lunar Society.
Bottom: In 1794 Miss Lloyd one of Samuel Lloyds sixteen children is reputed to have eloped from No. 13.

Top: The Revolutionary riots 1791. Homes in the Square were defended against the mob.
Bottom: Mr Chavasse crashed his gig into the railings, which led to their removal in 1829 opening up the Square for developments.

Left: William Scholefield [Wikipedia] became first Mayor of Birmingham in 1838. He lived at No. 1.
Right: The Square rapidly changed to a commercial centre during the 19th century. In 1896 the last of the original houses was demolished.