Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/426

398 hilt, as if in the act of drawing it, while the scabbard is held by the left hand; a broad belt attached to the scabbard, and buckled in front, sustains the sword. I am unable to describe the kind of spur, as the lower portion of the figure is lost; a fracture also extends across the waist. There is no clue to be drawn from history or tradition as to the individual in memory of whom this sculpture was placed in the abbey of Graignemagh; but that its date should be assigned to the early part of the thirteenth century, or at furthest to the middle of that era, may be concluded from the character of the armour; it is very rudely carved in high relief, the left leg of the figure is thrown over the right, and the mailed defence of the head is conformable to the globular shape of the skull. The material is a fine-grained limestone.

"The parish church of Kilfane is situate in the barony of Gowran and county of Kilkenny, about six miles south-west of Graignemagh: some years since it was deemed necessary to erect a new church, and the old building was dismantled. On removing the floor a cross-legged effigy in excellent preservation was discovered at the eastern end of the church: the figure is larger than life, measuring in length seven feet ten inches. The body is defended by a complete suit of mailed armour, the head and throat being covered by the chaperon of mail, which is somewhat flattened at top, presenting the appearance of a slightly elevated cone: a triangular shield is borne on the left side, supported by the guige passing over the right shoulder; it measures three feet four inches in length, and is charged with the arms of the Cantwell, or De Cantaville family, viz. a canton ermine, four annulets: these bearings are carved in relief. A surcoat is worn as usual over the hauberk, confined by the sword-belt at the waist; the right arm is extended by the side, and the right leg crossed over the left; on the heel may be seen a spur with a broad rowel; the end of the sword appears from between the legs as if placed under the figure.

"This effigy is well sculptured, apparently in the dark fine-grained limestone of the district commonly called Kilkenny marble: the contour of the head and neck is fine, the legs and feet are also well formed, and the folds of the surcoat are disposed with freedom and elegance; but it may be remarked that the shoulders are rather narrow for the height of the figure, and that the right arm is badly designed. The whole figure is carved in very high relief, and, as will be seen by the foregoing description, presents in a great measure the same characteristics as that of the knight given by Mr. Du Noyer; it may therefore be referred to the latter part of the thirteenth century, and is probably coeval with the walls of the church, as the still remaining, though much mutilated, sedilia in the Early English style would serve to shew.