Graveslab

The National Monuments Service's description

The graveslab (dims 2.07m x 1.08m) of Lady Ann Marwood (d. 1485) and Sir Alexander Plunkett (d. 1503) is on the ground in front of the sedillia at Rathmore church (ME024-017001-). (FitzGerald 1908-09, 432-4; Leask 1933, 163)

It is described by FitzGerald (1908-09, 432-4) as:
This large slab lies sunk in the ground, close to the south wall at the foot of the recess into which the sides of the altar-tomb are built as described above. The centre of the slab is quite plain, though w well-preserved black-letter inscription relief, runs round the edge of the slab. With the contractions expanded, the reading is: (in gothic script) Hic iacent Alexander Plunket de Rathmore miles quoundam / cancellarius hibernie cum domina Ana Mawreward uxore sua, qui obiit x die Mensis Augustii anno domini MCCCCCIII, et / dicta Ana obiit secundo die mensis Aiprilis anno domini MCCCC / LXXXV quorum animabus propicietur Deus amen. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri, Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos quemadmodum speravimus in te.
Our member, Fr. Carrigan, who kindly supplied the reading of the prayer in this inscription, has also furnished me with a translation. It runs thus: Here lies Sir Alexander Plunkett, Knight, of Rathmore, formerly Chancellor of Ireland, together with the lady Anne Marward his wife, who (i.e. he) died on the 10th day of the month of August, in the year of our Lord 1503; and the said Anne died on the 2nd day of April in the year of our Lord 1485; on whose souls may God have mercy.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. Be thy mercy done unto us, O Lord, as we have hoped in Thee.
Sir Alexander Plunkett, of Rathmore, was the second son of Sir Thomas Plunkett, and succeeded to the family estates on the death of his elder brother Edmund, probably about the year 1494. He was knighted about the year 1483.

Revised by: Michael Moore

Date of revised upload: 05 Septeimber, 2014

References

FitzGerald, Lord W. 1908. Rathmore (st Lawrence's church and burial ground). Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland, 7, 424-43.

Leask, H. G. 1933 Rathmore church, Co. Meath. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 63, 153-66.