What is recorded here

William Kywe died in 1466 and lies beneath a tapering limestone slab in the centre aisle of St Mary’s church, Callan. A seven-armed interlaced cross with fleur-de-lys terminals rises above an IHS mark, while a Latin prayer circles the border in raised Black Letter script. Lichen still clings to the stone, softening the sharp incisions that have watched the nave for centuries.

Lying prostrate in the centre aisle of the nave of St Mary’s church (KK026-010012-), Callan. A straight-sided tapering limestone slab (total L 0.76m; Wth 0.64m at top; Wth 0.5m at base; T 0.12m), with lichen on the surface. It is decorated with an incised seven-armed interlaced cross-head with fleur-de-lys terminals and there is an incised circle at the centre. The terminals of the main arms of the cross continue into the border surround. There is an oval knob below the cross-head. The incised cross-shaft (Wth 0.05m) rests on a stepped cross-base within which an IHS is carved. An inscription in Latin in raised Black Letter script begins on the sinister side of the top border and continues around the border (Wth 0.06m) on the sinister and dexter sides. It has been transcribed by Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 301) as, ‘Hic jacet Dominus Willms Kywe quondam Vicarius de Callan qui obiit anno do Mcccclxvi iii die mensis Octobris cuius aie ppicietur deus. Amen’ and translated as, ‘Here lies “Sir” William Kywe, formerly vicar of Callan, who died Oct. 3rd. 1466. On whose soul may God have mercy’. Carrigan (ibid.) adds that, ‘The Vicar’s Christian name, which was intended for Willelmus, is unintelligible except the first letter; a 16th century hand, however, has remedied the defect by inscribing under it Willms’. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 14 November 2019

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