Richard made a generous grant of £40 to enable improvements in the church - the height of the nave was raised with a new clerestory added, bringing light and space into the church, the north and south aisles were widened, a new porch added, as well as a new chancel arch, complete with Yorkist roses and sculpted heads of Richard and his brother Edward IV. These alterations brought St Mary's to its present size and to the splendour that can still be seen today and can be attributed to Richard's interest and concern for the Barnard Castle's parish church. Although Richard obtained in 1478 a licence and funding to establish St Mary's as a permanent chantry and collegiate church (on a far grander scale than Middleham) this plan never came to fruition but it is an indication that Richard was dedicated to Barnard Castle's church and to its development. |
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Of
the 'Famous Five' Ricardian churches, Richard was a particular benefactor
of St Mary's, Barnard Castle after he acquired the Lordship of the
town in 1474 upon his marriage to Anne Neville.
Still
today there are evident signs of Richard's interest and concern for the
church - a carving of Richard's boar badge can still be seen by the exterior
east window of the south transept, and in the north transept close by
the font is a C14th carved sculpture of St Anthony, supported by rampant
boars, originally situated elsewhere in the town. The sculpted portrait
heads of Edward IV and Richard still grace the chancel arch over the nave.
Now in 21st century St Mary's Parish Church commends to you a £½ million appeal. Envisioned are improvements that echo Richard's previous alterations -
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More space - a new organ will be situated at the west end of the church, freeing the south transept for the creation of a labyrinth and display space, that will speak of the church's many historical links, including those with Richard III. New space will be created at the west end of the church and pew bays for wheelchairs and buggies.
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More light - as Richard's clerestory brought new light to St Mary's, so the south transept window (currently obscured by the organ) will be brought to light for the first time in fifty years.
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A greater welcome - a new porch was created in Richard's time; in C21st St Mary's will be able to enable access to St. Margaret's Chapel for private prayer, and offer hospitality with the creation of a servery in the new space at the west end of the church.
Richard wrote:
"…to the Receivor of oure lordshippe of Barnardes Castelle that now is or that hereaftere for the tyme shalbe greting.
Forasmoche as we of oure grace especialle have yevene and graunted towardes the building of the Chruche of oure blissed lady within oure said lordshippe the summe of xl li (£40). We therefore wolle and charge you that of thissues and Revenues commyng and growing of the same our lorshippe that shalbe due unto us at the Feste of seint Martyn in yeme next commyng, ye content and pay unto the Wardeyns of the said Churche the summe of xx li, and at the same Fest in the yere then folowing othere xx li without delaye."
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The Parochial Church Council is an exempt charity. The Friends of St Mary's Church Barnard Castle, Registered Charity No. 1097736.