Cupar, Kirkgate, Parish Church
Church (18th Century), Tomb (15th Century)
Site Name Cupar, Kirkgate, Parish Church
Classification Church (18th Century), Tomb (15th Century)
Alternative Name(s) New
Canmore ID 224399
Site Number NO31SE 15.01
NGR NO 37323 14347
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/224399
- Council Fife
- Parish Cupar
- Former Region Fife
- Former District North East Fife
- Former County Fife
Field Visit (8 June 1925)
EFFIGY. Rebuilt into the west wall of the present church is a good 15th-century tomb recess, with a segmental arch enriched with paterae. It contains a knightly effigy, clad in plate armour of the time and in an unusually fine state of preservation. The figure represents a member of the family of Fernie, who were hereditary constables of Crail and foresters of Falkland (3). On a shield above the tomb are the Fernie arms: Gules, a fess, wreathed gules and or, between three lions' heads erased, or. The figure, 5 ¾ feet in length, lies on a coped stone shaped like a coffin-lid with a cushion beneath the head. At the feet, which are spurred, is a lion preying on a ram, and at the side is a sword with fan-shaped pommel and straight quillons, the scabbard having a midrib and enriched chape. The corselet bears in relief three lions' heads erased. The hands are bare and clasped on the breast; there are rings on the right index and little fingers as well as on the left index finger.
RCAHMS 1933, visited 8 June 1925.
(3) Sheriff Court Book of Fife (S.H.S.), p. 3. Cf. also Eccles. Arch., iii, p. 547.
