NMS Archaeology Object 14769: H.KJ 64 - Grave plate


Description

Summary


Grave plate of lead, inscribed "HIC : REQVIESCIT : WILIAMUS : SENEX FELICIS MEMORIE / PRIMVS EPISCOPUS", found in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, during the repairs of 1848, identifying the grave of William, first Bishop of Orkney (c. 1102 - 1168), possibly c. 1250 AD


Accession Number


H.KJ 64


Other references

None

Original description

Leaden plate inscribed HIC REQUIESCAT WILELMUS SENEX, FELICIS MEMORIF, PRIMUS EPISCOPUS. Kirkwall Cathedral. Caption note, February 1993: Perhaps c. 1250. Caption note, March 1993: Found in a grave between two pillars on the north side of the presbytery of St Magnus Cathedral during the repairs of 1848. The grave of William the Old (c. 1102 - 1168), first Bishop of Orkney. The inscription reads HIC : REQVIESCIT : WILIAMUS : SENEX FELICIS MEMORIE, one one side, and PRIMVS EPISCOPUS on the other. It seems probable that William the Old's remains were transferred from a position near the original high altar to be near the new altar when the choir was extended eastward not long before 1250.

Associated person/people (e.g. excavator/former collection)

William, first Bishop of Orkney

Discovery / field collection

Date of discovery

1848

Method (e.g. excavation)

Not recorded

Place (i.e. location of discovery)

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, Northern Europe

Grid reference

Not recorded

Acquisition

Acquisition date

1864

Acquisition source (i.e. name of donor)

Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer

Acquisition source role (e.g. donor)

Agent

Image

Image of Grave plate of lead, inscribed "HIC : REQVIESCIT : WILIAMUS : SENEX FELICIS MEMORIE / PRIMVS EPISCOPUS",  found in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, during the repairs of 1848, identifying the grave of William, first Bishop of Orkney (c. 1102 - 1168), possibly c. 1250 AD © National Museums Scotland
Image of Grave plate of lead, inscribed "HIC : REQVIESCIT : WILIAMUS : SENEX FELICIS MEMORIE / PRIMVS EPISCOPUS", found in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, during the repairs of 1848, identifying the grave of William, first Bishop of Orkney (c. 1102 - 1168), possibly c. 1250 AD © National Museums Scotland

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