St Brynach's Church, Nevern, Pembrokeshire
Note 1: The long nave and chancel (below) may be all of the 15th century as no features are earlier than that. There are transeptal chapels on each side, that on the south being rib-vaulted in two bays. The pier and two arches are Victorian insertions below a wider flatter original single arch. Two chapel windows have an Ogham stone and another tombstone as sills. The west tower is 16th century. Some restoration was carried out in 1863. South of the church is a very fine Celtic cross of circa 1000.
Below: The nave viewed from the pulpit.
Note 2: In the nave there are a pair of ancient stones embedded into the window sills of the south wall. The first (shown below), known as the Maglocunus Stone, is 5th or early 6th century and bears early Celtic Ogham script, and (fainter, on the top) Latin inscriptions. The translation of the Ogham is "MAGLICUNAS MAQI CLUTR[]". The Latin inscription reads "MAGLOCVN(i) FILI CLVTOR", which translates as "(The stone) OF MAGLOCUNUS SON OF CLUTORIUS".
By referring to the Ogham alphabet (below), and bearing in mind that Ogham is read from right to left, the first three characters of MAGLICUNAS can be deciphered. Below: The Ogham Alphabet.
Note 3: In the adjacent window sill (below) the Cross Stone is embedded. This shows a form of Celtic cross made of intertwining cords, and resembling a prone human figure. [Source: G L Wilson's Sites and Stones website]
Left: 18th century memorial stone inside the church. lyeth in this Vault in hopes of A Joyfull Resurrection the Bodyof Katherine Warren Wife to John Warren Esqr of Trewern who Departed this life March the 5th Anno Dom 1720 Aged 39 years. She Was the youngest Daughter of Lewis Wogan Esqr Wistown [Wiston] By Anne Loyd Daughter to James Loyd Esqr of Killrue [Kilrue] and Cohiers [co-heirs] to her Mother. She was the Mother of Seven Children Anne Mary And James Warren Desceased Four now Living William John Jane and Elizabeth Warren Envy not my happiness For I am Gone before Prepared be to Follow Me And live for ever more Below: The Vitalianus Stone
Note 4: The Vitalianus Stone (right) is an early Christian stone standing in the churchyard bearing a Latin inscription of the 5th or early 6th century: VITALIANA / EMERETO – "(The stone) of Vitalianus Emereto". Vitalianus and Emeritus were common names of this period. Along the left angle of the face is an Ogham inscription: VITALIAN(o).
Note 5: The Nevern Great Cross (shown below) on the south side of the church dates from the 10th century or early 11th century. It consists of two sections fitted together with a mortice and tenon joint, both cut from the local dolerite stone. It has classic braided decorations and inscriptions reading "dns" on one side and "h.an.eh" on the other.
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