What is recorded here
Graveslab in Newtown (baker) lies inside the medieval church of Newtown Earley, where a three-armed lozenge cross still rises from broken stone. It emerged during a graveyard clean-up in 1985-7, not as a forgotten relic but as a room marker made visible again. The small socket at the cross centre may have held a canopy, reliquary, or something deliberately removed, leaving the slab both incomplete and alive.
Associated with the medieval church of Newtown Earley (KK027-012001-) and uncovered during a clean-up of graveyard in 1985-7 (KK027-012009-) (Harte 1987, 408-17). Currently lying within the church.
The upper portion of a graveslab (surviving L 0.65m; Wth at top 0.45m; With beneath cross-head 0.75m), decorated with a three-armed lozenge-shaped cross-head, in relief. The slap is broken immediately below the cross-head. At the centre of the cross-head there is a rectangular socket (0.1m x 0.03m; D 0.05m) which suggests that the graveslab was possibly deliberately broken and reused. However, Harte suggests that it may be an original feature designed to hold a canopy or a reliquary (ibid. 411). Stylistically this graveslab dates to the 13th/14th century. (Harte 1987, 411, no. 16).
Reference:
Harte, R. 1987 Tombstones at Newtown Earley. Old Kilkenny Review 39, 408-17.
See attached:
KK027-012025-_01 Illustration from Harte 1987, 411, no. 16
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 4 May 2023
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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