Castle And Three Unidentified Memorials In The Churchyard Circa 5 Metres South Of South Porch To Church Of St Mary

PAINSWICK NEW STREET SO 8609 (part) (south east side) 9/233 Castle and three unidenti- fied memorials in the churchyard c.5 m south of south porch to Church of St Mary

GV II

Chest tomb and 3 headstones.

(a) Chest tomb, two types of limestone. Probably early C18, but 1879 survey records as Walter Castle, 1780. Thick top has moulded edge to wide-spaced dentils, characteristic of C17 design; bold lyre ends with oval panels to cable mould, north and south panels bolection mould flanked by floral drops; moulded base. Not legible. Tie top, in Minchinhampton stone, characteristic of many in the churchyard, could perhaps have been re-used as its design is of a type used even in the late C16; also lyre ends are late C17 or early C18. This monument leans slightly to the north, a rare example of instability in the churchyard.

(b) About 3 m south of the last. Headstone, C18, limestone. A very bold scrolled top to pilaster sides and sunk centre plus raised panel. Centre coat of arms with 3 castles, no doubt name of occupant.

(c) Headstone immediately north of (b). C18. Limestone. A square top which carries two small raised crosses and a boss of floral element; front has small raised margin and frieze with full height latin cross also raised from panel, flanked by coats of arms, one of which is almost certainly Castle.

(d) Headstone about 2 m west of the chest tomb. Early C18. Limestone. heavy raised margin of unusual composition, with boldly modelled cherub with wings flanked by elongated human figures standing each on a skull; the figure to the right has lost the head. Sunk square main panel.

A good group; the headstones in the Minchinhampton Shelly stone which weathers more favourably than the paler freestones.

Listing NGR: SO8665209622