What is recorded here

In the shadow of the Bryan vault, a smooth ledger slab still marks the resting place of Peter Archdeacon and Helena Mandevil. They were ordinary citizens of Kilkenny, yet their names survive in ancient Latin beneath a cross with flower-like ends. The chamber around them has changed shape across centuries, but the stone remains steady above the dark space where their bodies lie.

At St Mary's parish church (KK019-026115-) in Kilkenny. A mensa for a deconstructed chest tomb or possibly an in-situ ledger slab, for Peter Archdeacon (d. 1586) and Helena Mandevil, in the NW corner of the 'Bryan vault' adjoining the E wall of the S transept of the church (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 97). The slab is set above a burial vault. The Bryan family 'vault' (in reality a mausoleum) probably modified part of the medieval Lady Chapel of St. Mary's in the 18th century. The Archdeacon tomb would have occupied the NW corner of the Lady Chapel, beside a (now blocked) entrance arch in the E wall of the S transept. A rectangular slab (2.04m L x 0.92m Wth. x 0.13m T.) with eight-armed segmental cross with fleur-de-lis terminals and marginal Latin inscription in blackletter: HIC. JACET. PETRUS. ARCHDEKIN. QUONDAM. BURGENS. VILLE. KILKENIAE.QUI. OBIIT. DIE. JANUARII. III. 1586. ET HELENA. MANDEVIL. UXOR. QUE. OBIIT [ ]’. It translates as, Here lies Peter Archdekin once burgess of the town of Kilkenny who died 3rd January 1586 and Helena Mandevil his wife who died [ ]. Compiled by: Cóilín Ó Drisceoil Date of upload: 4 January 2023

Chest tomb, late medieval period (16th century). Significance lies in its association with Peter Archdeacon, a notable figure in the diocese of Kilkenny during the Reformation era.

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