oldexeterinn
Britain’s Prime Minister, Sir ‘Two-Tier Keir’ Starmer has taken down portraits of Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh that were on display in Downing Street.
The paintings of the last Tudor monarch and the famous explorer of the Americas were previously on the walls of a room used for prime ministerial meetings with world leaders and both have now been replaced with scenes from Crivelli’s Garden, a mural by Dame Paula Rego, the late Portuguese-born artist. Last month, Sir Keir said he took down the portrait of Lady Thatcher because he did not like pictures of people staring down at him.
A Great Devonian & Significant Historical Figure
Sir Walter Raleigh, a Devonian and Favourite of Queen Elizabeth I was arrested at the Old Exeter Inn for treason against King James I on July 19th 1603, so holds a special place in the history of the inn, which is almost 900 years old, and that of the ancient Stannary Town of Ashburton itself.
Commenting on the decision of the Prime Minister to remove the painting of Sir Walter Raleigh from Downing Street, the owner of the Old Exeter, David Hattersley said, “It’s a deeply sad time when historical greats are no longer regarded as important by our own Government. Raleigh and Elizabeth are significant figures in the history of our country and they should not be messed about with. History is history and is the guide for the future”.
Normal people love the history of Britain
Contrary to what’s happening in London and the cancelling of Britain’s heritage by our own politicians, the ordinary people of Britain and from all parts of the world, cannot get enough of our history. In 2020 Channel 4 filmed the creation of the Sir Walter Raleigh mural at the Old Exeter Inn. The programme was watched by over 4 million people in its first showing and has since gone on to be enjoyed by millions more around the world.
“Huge numbers of people come to Ashburton to visit the Old Exeter Inn specifically because of its history, to learn about it and to step back in time”, says Hattersley. “It gives them a sense of perspective of Olde England and that’s very important when we look at our modern world. Rubbing out your past inhibits your ability to deal with the future. Taking historic pictures down, it’s the kind of thing you’d expect a third world dictator to do, not the leader of the United Kingdom”.
The Pub is the only democratic house in Britain
People are fascinated by history. The people. The events. The wars. The leaders. The Empire. Where we came from. Where we are going. These are all conversations that are held in the greatest institutions of Britain, the public houses. According to Hattersley the most democratic house is in every village (if you’re lucky), town or city throughout the land the Great British Pub. “Forget the politicians in their Westminster bubble, very few of them relate to ordinary life and sadly the ordinary folk of the country. If Starmer understood the pride that the vast majority of British people have in their country and its heritage, he would never have consented to the removal of these paintings. I don’t know any other country that would do this. William Shakespeare has also suffered the same fate as Sir Walter and Queen Elizabeth and has been boxed up and put in storage in the last couple of days as well. It’s all very strange. Very strange indeed. Unsettling actually”.
Sir Walter is safe in Devon
Asked whether Sir Walter would fall at the Old Exeter Inn, Hattersley said, “Hell will freeze over first. We’re custodians of history, not fashion or the latest political correctness or other such nonsense. Sir Walter Raleigh is safe in Devon. Anyway, I’d better not say anymore otherwise our Dear Leader will probably have me banged up”.
