13 Apr 2015
Richard III tomb stone hewn from Britannicus Stone quarry 10th April 2015
The beautiful, yet simple, tomb stone for Richard III that now adorns his new resting place in Leicester Cathedral was created from a single piece of Swaledale Fossil from estates the controversial king would have owned 530 years ago in North Yorkshire.
In contrast the stone is over 350 million years old and was supplied by the owners of the North Yorkshire quarry, Britannicus Stone.
Carved from a single 3.5 tonne stone by stone mason, James Elliott to the design of the architects van Heningen and Haward, from a Britannicus Stone quarry, near Melsonby, in North Yorkshire, the tomb stone now measures 2 metres x 1 metre x 600 cm and still weighs a staggering 2.3 tonne.
The Swaledale Fossil has undergone a prolonged polishing process using industrial diamonds which buffed the stone to a shine to highlight the nature and composite of this unique stone. It was chosen not only because it polishes to a fine finish, but also because the fossils within it are long dead creatures immortalised now in stone. The stone is found exclusively in Britain.
The starting point for the design of the tomb was the light breaking through the entrance to the tomb of Jesus – an image of Easter morning and the resurrection. The deep cut in the stone will allow light to flood through it, symbolising that death is not the end, but that we all receive new life in Christ.
Swaledale Fossil Brown stone is light brown Crinoidal limestone from the Carboniferous age and is a true rock of ages, originally laid down when Britain sat over the equator. It has formerly been used in Durham Cathedral (13th century) and as pavements for York Minster (15th century). During the 18th and 19th centuries it was also employed extensively in houses of distinction, predominantly for grand entrance halls and ball rooms.
The king's remains have be laid to rest inside a lead ossuary placed inside a coffin made of English oak. The entire coffin has been placed into a brick-lined vault in the floor of the cathedral and sealed off with the British-stone tomb. The tomb, rather than resting over a large white rose — the heraldic symbol of the House of York — sits on a slab of dark Kilkenny marble, which has been inscribed with the king's name, dates, motto and coat of arms.
The stone tomb is slightly higher at the head end 'as if rising to meet the risen Jesus'. The lower end is also marginally tapered.
Orlando Boyne, managing director of Britannicus Stone, who is a direct descendent of Edward I and John 0'Gaunt, says: “There is nothing more fitting than a royal laid to rest using materials hewn out of the very fabric of the country over which they ruled. And as the last king of the House of York it is also apt that Richard III is buried under Swaledale Fossil Brown stone from a Yorkshire quarry.
“It was an absolute privilege to be able to work on this project. And the choice of stone was so fundamental; it had to be British, of an origin relevant to the king and beautiful - Swaledale Fossil is all three.”
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For further information please contact: Simon Parker, SPS, 07795 323375
NOTES TO EDITOR
Britannicus Stone supplied the stone for Richard III's tomb that was unveiled recently at Leicester Cathedral and it advised on the type of marble to be used for the Altar.
Orlando Boyne, managing director of Britannicus Stone, is renowned for his knowledge on British stone and marble, plus the processes that are required to make the stones gems of artistry. He adores the stone that sits right under our feet and holds in particularly high esteem those craftsmen and carvers who choose to work with our national heritage.
Britannicus Stone extracts rare and beautiful stone from quarries exclusively on the British Mainland and which are also unique to this country.
From Devon's and Dorset's rolling hills through Somerset's, up through Yorkshire's, Cumbria's and Derbyshire's peaks and dales, right up into Sutherland's iconic Scottish Highlands, Britannicus Stone sources its stone responsibly and exclusively from some of the British Isles most beautiful and familiar geographical places.
Since its launch Britannicus Stone has been able to expand the range of stone and marble from 12 to more than 20 varieties. Its British limestone and marble is offered to leading architects and designers worldwide and now adorns establishments that seek and appreciate exquisite, natural, rare and beautiful materials.