Hopper Tomb Approximately 2 Metres South Of Church Of St Mary

BARNARD CASTLE

NZ0516SW NEWGATE 770-1/6/160 (South side (off)) 29/01/86 Hopper tomb approximately 2 metres south of Church of St Mary

GV II*

Chest tomb to George Hopper of Black Hedley, Northumberland, d.1725. Sandstone ashlar. Richly carved and moulded. Plinth with ovolo and cavetto mouldings supports 4 angle piers, with plinths and cornices, and intermediate slabs on north and south sides. Piers have symbolic foliage and flowers; side piers rise as niches into sides of chest, with flanking and end carved panels. North niche contains high relief figure of gentleman in detailed early C18 dress with sidecoat and hat, and masks, possibly portraits, on returns of pier; south niche contains skeleton. Chest panels on north have memento mori with knots, tassels and drapery, and elaborate initials; inscriptions on north: Here stands my statue carved in stone/ to mind ye liveing I am gone' andhe cometh forth like a flower and it...'. On west: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord/ I know that my redeemer liveth'; on east carved flowers; south niche has eroded inscription round skeleton; coat of arms at left; and angels with trumpets and crown at right, andRevelations Chapter 2.v.10 - 'be thou faithfull unto death and I will give thee a crown of life'. Gadroon moulded cornice to top with enriched corded moulding to edge, and raised fielded top with acanthus leaves and putti on wide border; inscription: 'Here lyeth the body of George Son of Humphrey Hopper of Black Headly in Northumberland and Derwentwater, Gentleman, who departed this life March the 30th A.D. 1725 aged 23.'

Listing NGR: NZ0506116265