The statue of the Black Prince was commissioned by Thomas Harding, the Mayor of Leeds, to celebrate Leeds' new status as a city. A local champion, such as crusader Henry de Lacy, was rejected in favour of a nationally prominent figure: Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III. It was created by leading sculptor Sir Thomas Brock and was so large that it had to be cast in Belgium, as there was no foundry in Britain large enough - and be towed into Leeds by canal boat. The bronze sculpture was unveiled in front of thousands of spectators on City Square in September 1903. The inscription reads 'Hero of Crecy and Poitiers'. The flower of England chivalry, the upholder of the rights of the people in the Good Parliament.' These photo gems celebrate its life in the city down the decades and are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: 27 photos of City Square through the years LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
![The Black Prince under construction in City Square in 1903.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIwMzc4ODA0.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. The Black Prince
The Black Prince under construction in City Square in 1903. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![A colour-tinted postcard dating back to 1915 of the Black Prince.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIwMzc4ODA4.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. The Black Prince
A colour-tinted postcard dating back to 1915 of the Black Prince. Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council
![An elevated view of the Black Prince surrounded by air raid shelters arranged in a circle.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIwMzc4ODE1.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. The Black Prince
An elevated view of the Black Prince surrounded by air raid shelters arranged in a circle. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![The Black Prince with a nymph statue and stone balustrade in foreground in June 1934.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIwMzc4ODE5.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. The Black Prince
The Black Prince with a nymph statue and stone balustrade in foreground in June 1934. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![The Black Prince in March 1948. Statuesque streetlamps shows the General Post Office in between Infirmary Street and Quebec Street.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIwMzc4OTIy.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. The Black Prince
The Black Prince in March 1948. Statuesque streetlamps shows the General Post Office in between Infirmary Street and Quebec Street. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
![June 1949 and these ladies admire one of the four pairs of figure lamps sculpted by Alfred Drury . They depict 'Morn' and 'Even' and were inspired by Parisian lamp standards around the Paris Opera House.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTIwMzc4OTI2.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. The Black Prince
June 1949 and these ladies admire one of the four pairs of figure lamps sculpted by Alfred Drury . They depict 'Morn' and 'Even' and were inspired by Parisian lamp standards around the Paris Opera House. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net