What is recorded here

Gowran’s largest surviving armorial plaque stands in the 17th-century mortuary chapel beside St Mary’s, recording Richard Pembr and Johan Ragg in raised Roman letters beneath a worn shield. Its deep cyma recta and ovolo moulding project like a small classical throne, while a nibbled top and cut edge suggest handling, reuse or deliberate damage. The names remain sharp enough to imagine two households claiming memory in stone, even though the coats of arms have nearly surrendered their details to time.

In the 17th-century mortuary chapel adjoining externally the S wall of the nave of the 13th-century church of St Mary’s (KK020-060006-) in Gowran. A rectangular limestone plaque (H 0.63m; Wth 0.49m; T 0.14) with deep classical moulding, cyma recta and ovolo, on three sides, though straight-sided along the base and lower dexter side (L 0.25m). The moulding on both sides projects out towards the base. It appears to have designed to rest on a pedestal, partially built into a corner or recess. The armorial shield is very worn. Beneath it, within three lines is an inscription in raised Roman capitals, ‘THE ARMES OF RICHARD PEMBR AND JOHAN RAGG’. The upper edge of the plaque has been damaged, giving a nibbled effect and a rectangular notch (dims. 0.09m x 0.04m) has been cut out along the dexter edge. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 18 September 2019

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