The dimensions of these female effigies are as follows: I. length of the figure, 6ft. 6in.; width of the coffin-slab at top, 2ft. 2in., at the foot, 1ft. 11 in. II. length of the figure, 6ft. 6 in.; width of the coffin-slab at top, 2ft.; it becomes somewhat narrower towards the foot. III. length of the figure, 7ft. 3in.; width of the slab, 2ft. 4in.
As has been already remarked, these three figures are cross-legged, and from the peculiarity of this attitude, hitherto regarded as exclusively appropriate to knights, as also from their somewhat masculine forms and proportions, the sex of these singular effigies might appear a matter of doubt, were not this question sufficiently determined by the character of the head-dress, the absence of mustaches, and the costume generally when compared with the male costume as illustrated by the effigies of the period.
Effigy of Richard de Burgo. Abbey of Athassel co. Tipperary.
An interesting example of the civil costume of the nobility in Ireland, during the early part of the fourteenth century, which may also serve to shew the usual fashions of the preceding age, is supplied by the effigy of Richard de Burgo, earl of Ulster, surnamed "The Red," which still exists at the abbey of Athassel, co. Tipperary, founded about the year 1200, by William Fitz Adelm de Burgo[1]. This effigy is not cross-legged, it represents the earl clothed in his civil robes, and without any cap or covering on his head; the hair is divided on the forehead, and falls over the cars in short curls, whilst on the upper lip are seen mustaches. The dress consists of a loose robe girded around the waist, and falling to the ancles in straight folds; the shoulders are covered by a small cape or tippet, which is fastened on the breast by a circular brooch of a form well known to have been in common use in Ireland, as likewise
- ↑ It may deserve record, as an example of the value of oral traditions, as preserved in Ireland, that this effigy of Richard the Red is known and designated by the peasantry as the figure of "Earl Rua," Anglice the "Red Earl." Archdall, in his Monasticon, thus mentions the death of this nobleman:—"A.D. 1326. Richard, earl of Ulster, commonly called the Red Earl, who had chosen this priory (Athassel) for his retirement, died on the 28th of June, and was interred here."
