House of Lords: Royal Gallery Frescos

Debate between Lord Sewel and Lord Elystan-Morgan

Thursday 13th June 2013 Lords Chamber

[The Chairman of Committees]

I do not think that that has ever been the case and the French Presidents that I have ever had any contact with have always remarked on how much they liked looking at the murals.

[Lord Elystan-Morgan]

My Lords, what Wellington said is not recorded but apparently Field Marshal Blucher spoke the only words of English that he knew and said, “I have kept my word”.

[Lord Bew]

My Lords, does the Lord Chairman realise that a very important reason for preserving the Maclise legacy is not simply the two great frescos in the Royal Gallery but the two that are in this Chamber, “The Spirit of Justice” and “The Spirit of Chivalry”? All those paintings have one major theme, which is the unity and co-operation of the nations and ethnicities of the United Kingdom in a common cause. That is a particular reason to preserve this legacy.