These figures known as The Burghers of Calais commemorate six citizens of that town who offered themselves to Edward III after he had vainly besieged their town for nearly a year in 1347. The story goes that their lives were spared on the intercession of Edward's queen Philippa of Hainault

Original sculpture 1889. The London version cast in 1908. Purchased by the British Government in 1911. Presented to the nation in 1914.