1698 Headstone To South Of Porch In Churchyard Of The Church Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

ECCLESTON

1837/0/10020 TOWNGATE 24-JUN-10 (Off) 1698 HEADSTONE TO SOUTH OF PORCH IN CH URCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

II Headstone. 1698, located between south porch of church and war memorial, sandstone.

Small stone with relief-carved scrollwork cresting to top and wider shoulders. Inscription is relief carved: Initials R G separated by tulip above horizontal line and dated 1698.

History: This headstone is dated 1698. It is the earliest example of a purpose-designed headstone in the churchyard. Other headstones are C18 or later. The rise of the headstone as a memorial type occured in the later C17, and was to become one of the most important forms of memorial in Britain.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION The headstone dated 1698 adjacent to the south porch of Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Eccleston, is recommended for designation for the following principal reasons: * As a legible and representative example of a relief carved C17 headstone of modest design with scrollwork cresting, initials, date, and a folk art representation of a tulip.