Not indciated — Newtown (baker)

Associated with the medieval church of Newtown Earley (KK027-012001-). A large number of graveslabs were uncovered during a clean-up of graveyard (KK027-012009-) in 1985-7 (Harte 1987, 408-17). These are currently lying within the interior of the church. Four slabs, consisting of a mensa or table top (KK027-012005-), front panel (KK027-012006-) and two side panels (KK027-012011- and KK027-012012-) are possibly from the same chest-tomb. These are described and illustrated by Harte (ibid. 411-14, nos. 18, 19, 21 and 22). Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 327-8) describes the mensa (L 2.02m; Wth 0.7m) as a floor-slab having, 'a raised cross down the centre, dividing, per pale, a shield charged, on the dexter side, with the Sweetman arms, as above, and on the left - which is also divided per pale - the fretty of the St. Legers and an eagle displaced. A small piece of the slab is missing. The inscription, raised Old English, runs round the edge and is continued on the chamfer at the right side of the cross and at the base; it is as follows:- Hic jacet Johanes Swetma Baro de Erley qi obit 208 die Mes. Maius 1605 et Elennae Faninge ei uxor qe obit 4 die men M.... .595. Quisquis eris qi transieris sta, perlege, plora; sum quad eris fueramq. quod es: pro me precor ora. Walterus Kerin fabricabit tamba 1600. Translation:- Here lie John Swetman, Baron of Erley, who died May 28th 1605, and Ellen Fanning his wife, who died M.... 4th 1595. Whoe'er thou art that passest by, stand, read, lament. I am what thou wilt be, I was what thou art. Pray for me I beseech you. Walter Kerin made this tomb A.D. 1600'. The cross-head is an, 'angled interface Cross with fleur-del-lis terminals standing on a mound with the faint markings of a skull and cross bones' (Harte 1987, 412-13, no. 19). The front and side edges of the mensa are chamfered and Walter Kerin's signature with accompanying date is on this chamfered edge. Reference: Harte, R. 1987 Tombstones at Newtown Earley. Old Kilkenny Review 39, 408-17. See attached: KK027-012005-_01 Illustration from Harte 1987, 413, no. 19 KK027-012005-_02 Photograph, 25 November 1994 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 April 2023