WORK has begun to create a series of etched glass windows fit for a king.
The artwork will be installed at Barnard Castle’s parish church after a successful Windows for the King appeal raised tens of thousands of pounds.
The seven windows, which will be fitted into the porch at St Mary’s, commemorate Richard III’s connection to the church, which historians say would have been a religious college.
The project is also part of celebrations to mark 550 years since Richard – then Duke of Gloucester – was granted the lordship of Barnard Castle.
Volunteers from the parochial church council and the Northern Dales Richard III Group have spent the last two years trying to raise £40,000 to cover costs.
Having raised £39,500, work has now begun to produce the windows based on designs by award-winning artist Rachel Phillips.
Kim Harding, chairwoman of the Northern Dales Richard III Group, said the project was born out of research she had done into the monarch’s connection to St Mary’s.
“During Covid, I did quite a lot of research into the collegiate church at St Mary’s,” she said.
“I discovered quite a lot about it and the extent to which Richard was investing in the building – the equivalent of millions today.
“It would have become a mini-cathedral, a collegiate church twice the size of that at Middleham, with a dean and 12 priests.”
Due to Richard’s premature death at the Battle of Bosworth, plans to develop the collegiate church never progressed.
Ms Harding added: “We thought wouldn’t it be amazing if we put some etched glass in the church that would reflect the institution he was seeking to create.
“We ran a competition and found an artist – Rachel, from west Wales – who provided us with an amazing design.
“We launched the appeal for £40,000 and we are almost at the end – just looking for the last £500 – and the windows are being created in the coming months, hopefully being installed in September.”
Ms Harding said it had been a very well-supported appeal.
“It has been mostly fundraising events we have done ourselves.
“There have been serious donations from a couple of individuals, the Richard III Society nationally has given a grant, as have the Masons, and businesses have donated raffle prizes.
“I am delighted and amazed we have reached the target in just two years.”
In addition to Windows for the King, the 550th anniversary of Richard’s lordship of Barnard Castle will be commemorated at this year’s Meet.
Philippa Langley, who is best known for her role in the discovery and exhumation of Richard’s body in 2012, will be among the guest speakers at the Northern Dales Richard III Group’s annual study day in April.
