What is recorded here

Graveslab in Rathduff (madden) is a tapering stone from Kells Priory, decorated with a floriated cross and an unmarked shield bearing three chevrons. It stood near the chancel wall during the 19th century, preserving a funerary identity that time has blurred but never fully erased. The De Clare or L’Ercedeckne families may have claimed it, yet the absence of colour leaves their name suspended in stone rather than spoken.

One of a large number of graveslabs (KK027-029005-; KK027-029015-, KK027-029016-, KK027-029021- to KK027-029051-) found at Kells Priory for Augustinian canons (KK027-029004-) which have been described and catalogued by Higgins (2007, 453-67). A tapering graveslab (L 2.22m; Wth at top 0.53m; Wth at base 0.39m; T 0.23m) with wide bevelled edges and a narrow raised rim. It is decorated in low false-relief with a floriated cross and a heater-shaped shield with curved sides immediately below the cross-head. The four-armed cross has very simple fleur-de-lis terminals. Beneath the shield a leaf motif springs from either side of the cross-shaft. The cross-shaft terminates in a fleur-de-lis. The shield bears three chevrons, but without tinctures or colours it cannot be attributed to a particular family, though the most likely candidates are the De Clare family who were Lords of Kilkenny during this period, or the L’Ercedeckne (Archdeacon) family who held property in Kilkenny. Graves (1864-6, 185-7 and fig. 1 opposite 187) published an illustration of the slab based on a drawing by Du Noyer which shows more detail, particularly on the leaf motif, than is now visible. In the 19th century the slab was located near the centre of the N wall of the chancel of the priory church. Stylistically this dates to the 13th/14th century. (Higgins 2007, cat. no. 25, 461, fig. 7.3:2). Ref.: Graves, Rev. J. 1864-6 Proceedings and papers. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 8, 185-9. Higgins, J. 2007 The medieval funerary monuments. In M. Clyne, (ed.), Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne, 453-67. Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Dublin. See attached: KK027-029042-_01 Illustration in Higgins, J. 2007 The medieval funerary monuments. In M. Clyne, (ed.), Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne, 453-67. KK027-029042-_02 Illustration in Graves, Rev. J. 1864-6 Proceedings and papers. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 8, fig. 1, opposite 187. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 31 May 2023

Medieval Christian graveslab; associated with the Augustinian priory at Kells, significant as part of a large assemblage of ecclesiastical monuments reflecting monastic burial practices in the region.

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