Graveslab in Strade

Located in Strade Dominican friary (MA070-067001-), one of a group of five (see also MA070-067004-; MA070-067007- to MA070-067009-) on display against the S wall of the chancel. This graveslab (L 1.9; max. Wth 0.6m), which is fully intact, is tapered or wedge-shaped and served as the lid of a coffin-tomb. It bears a large bottonée or foliated cross in low relief, with the top, bottom and arms of the cross terminating in trefoils. Beneath the horizontal arms, there are two additional arms, rising from the shaft at a diagonal angle, which also terminate in trefoils. These diagonal arms are an unusual feature, and may have been designed to represent the Christ's arms on the cross (McDermott 2009, 99). The foliated cross is a design typical of Anglo-Norman tombs, and have been found in Bannow, Co. Wexford (WX044-045007-) and Kilkenny Dominican friary (KK019-026021-), and suggests a thirteenth-century date for this grave-slab (McDermott 2009, 100). Attached image: SL070-067010-_01.JPG Compiled by: Anne-Julie Lafaye Date of upload: 29 September 2020

Medieval Christian graveslab, 13th–15th century. Part of a group associated with the Dominican friary, indicating local monastic burial practices.