Princess Margaret Plaque

Conservator Alaina Schmisseur carried out restorative works to a bronze plaque found at street level on Exhibition Square in a project managed by Nick Beilby in summer 2018. The plaque was erected in 1895 by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society and had acquired much dirt and damage in recent decades.

The full inscription reads: ‘This gateway was broken through the Abbey wall July 1503 in honour of the Princess Margaret, daughter of Henry VII. who was the guest of the Lord Abbott of St Mary’s for two days on her journey to the North as the Bride of James IV of Scotland’.

The works were intended to protect the bronze from future damage, whilst not damaging the patina of the piece, and keeping the distinctive character that aged bronze pieces acquire.