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 IRISH PAVEMENT TILES, 
 
 EXHIBITING 
 
 THIRTY-TWO PATTERNS, ILLUSTRATED BY FORTY ENGRAVINGS, AFTER 
 THE ORIGINALS, EXISTING IN ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL, AND 
 HOWTH, MELLIFONT, AND NEWTOWN ABBEYS. 
 
 WITH INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, BY THOMAS OLDHAM, A.B. F.G.S.S. L. & D. 
 
 DUBLIN: 
 
 JOHN ROBERTSON, 3, GRAFTON-STREET ; 
 
 LONGMAN AND CO. LONDON ; J. H. PARKER, OXFORD ; 
 J. JOHNSTONE, EDINBURGH. 
 
IRISH PAVEMENT TILES. 
 
 ANY customs will be found, in tracing the history of every art, the precise date of whose 
 first introduction cannot be accurately fixed. In some cases, this obscurity arises from 
 the loss or destruction of records which may have existed, but in the majority of instances, 
 from the fact, that these customs have themselves been the result of many successive and 
 gradual alterations, each differing so little from that which preceded it, as to be too 
 minute for description or notice at the time, or for distinction now, when the injuries 
 of years have in part effaced what yet remains, and entirely destroyed many links in the 
 
 series. In such cases, it is only by an accumulation of facts, and a careful induction, that any satisfactory conclusion 
 can be arrived at. 
 
 The use of encaustic and ornamental tiles, as a pavement, principally, though not exclusively, in ecclesiastical 
 buildings, is one of the many subjects, which rest under this difficulty. They occur abundantly in churches, of dates 
 ranging from the early part of the thirteenth, to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries ; but of their first introduction 
 no record has been found, and their date can in most instances be arrived at only by the consideration of collateral 
 circumstances. 
 
 We shall not at present stop to inquire into the origin of this mode of pavement ; probably an imitation of the 
 much more costly and elaborate mosaics ; or possibly, the result of successive improvements from the first rude 
 piece of baked clay, impressed with some uncouth figure, by the hand of the maker, subsequently improved by the 
 use of a more carefully constructed mould, and then the impressed pattern at first filled with some substance of a different 
 colour, till at last we find the true Encaustic tile, in which the coloured substance forming the pattern has been applied 
 in a soft state, to the clay of the tile, and both then burnt together. For such an inquiry, it would be necesssary to 
 trace the history of pavements in general, to point out the successive alterations which the advance of civilization or 
 the adoption of new materials had introduced, to shew the influence of different climates, or of the local physical 
 circumstances of each district, the abundance of one material in this country, and its absence or comparative scarcity in 
 that ; to follow the progress of luxury, and mark the effects mutually produced by and on domestic architecture ; and 
 still more important than all, the changes consequent on the altered forms and ceremonies of religious worship. But 
 these subjects, however interesting, would necessarily require a greater detail of illustration, and a more extended 
 examination, than would be allowable on the present occasion. 
 
 Attention has long been directed to these tiles in England, and especially during the last few years, when, in the 
 restoration of several churches, this beautiful style of pavement has been revived, the old examples being copied 
 for that purpose ;* but, though, as will be seen, numerous specimens ^till exist in many of our old, and, we regret to 
 add, ruined churches, we have not been able to find a single published notice of these tiles, as occurring in Ireland ; 
 and we would now, therefore, advert to a few of their varieties. 
 
 The Irish specimens are of three distinct kinds — 1st, Impressed; 2nd, Encaustic; and 3rd, Tiles in relief. Of 
 the first kind, or that in which the pattern is impressed or sunk into the tile, we have many examples. They 
 
 •Messrs. Minton and Co. of Stoke upon Trent, manufactured the tiles used at the Temple Church, London, &c. &c.. Their Dublin 
 Agent is Mr. Telford, 5, Harcourt-street, with whom these tiles maybe seen. 
 
i 
 
 are principally of the ordinary red colour of the clay, the surface being coated with an opaque varnish or glaze, 
 generally of a greenish yellow colour, but occasionally of a dark purplish black (similar to the colour of the dark 
 glaze now used in coarse pottery.) This glazing extends equally over the indented pattern, as over the surface of the 
 tile, and is in many cases very perfect still. Tiles of a similar kind have been found occasionally in England, and it 
 has been stated,* that the hollows were filled with a differently coloured substance, which by repeated washings lias 
 been removed. We have not been able to trace any appearances, which would countenance such an idea, and we 
 would think it exceedingly improbable that such was ever the case, at least, with regard to the Irish examples. 
 
 Nos. 1 to 13, and figs. 1, 6, and 7 of our plate represent patterns of this kind of Tile. Fig. 1 is now in the cabinet 
 of the Royal Irish Academy, having formed part of the collection of the late Dean of St. Patrick's, since purchased by 
 that Institution : we have not been able to ascertain whence it was obtained. Fig. 6 is from Mellifont, County of 
 Louth ; the original is much worn, and the pattern in the corners is quite defaced. Fig. 7 is from Newtown, near 
 Trim. These are all one-third of the measurements of the originals. The coloured representations (Nos. 1 to 13) 
 shew the effect the tiles would have had, if the impressed patterns were really filled with a differently coloured sub- 
 stance. The large engravings are fac similes of the originals, and the smaller ones at the foot represent four tiles 
 united, to shew the pattern complete ; and this has also enabled us to give representations of some minor varieties. 
 The places where they occur are stated on the plates. The specimens of this variety vary in size, from four and 
 a quarter inches to five inches square, and are about one and a quarter thick. 
 
 In the second or Encaustic variety, the surface is quite smooth and flat, the pattern being produced by a differently 
 coloured substance inlaid. The prevailing colours in the Irish examples are bright red and yellow, or purplish black 
 and light pearl grey ; but they occasionally occur of the same blackish colour, and deep red. The specimens repre- 
 sented form nearly a complete series of those now existing in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. 
 
 The third variety consists of those in which the pattern is formed in low relief — of these several curious specimens 
 are shewn in our frontispiece. Figs. 2, 3, 4, are from Bective Abbey, County of Meath ; and fig. 7 (unfortunately a 
 fragment, but sufficient to shew the pattern) is from Howth Abbey, County of Dublin. 
 
 The important question of the date of these varieties must now be alluded to. And here, as far as regards the 
 first and second varieties, we are unfortunately without any positive evidence. No record of the time of their being 
 laid down can be discovered, nor do they contain any thing in themselves which can guide us to the fact.. The 
 simplicity of the patterns however, in the first variety, the interlacing of one with the other, and the similarity, in 
 many respects, to other architectural ornaments, would lead us to suppose that these impressed tiles were the earliest 
 used — a conclusion which seems to be confirmed by the fact, that several of the patterns found on these impressed 
 tiles occur also in the Encaustic or second variety, in some instances slightly modified. Thus in No. 7, 10, 14, the 
 indented patterns have served as an outline for the Encaustic, forming, as it were, a kind of stencil for the moulder ; 
 and in No. 14 a still further modification is seen, by the introduction of balls in the outer circle: the effect of the two 
 circles having probably been found too glaring, these were introduced to subdue the tone. It would be obviously 
 very improbable, that the persons who were acquainted with the mode of manufacturing these Encaustic tiles would 
 adopt the comparatively wiry and meagre effect produced by the impressed patterns ; and the same pattern being 
 found in the two varieties is, therefore, sufficient to shew that the Encaustic or inlaid tiles are an improvement on, and 
 subsequent to, the use of the impressed variety. It is stated, that few have been found in England of an earlier date 
 than the middle, or early part of the thirteenth century. There is, however, no reason for supposing, that the pave- 
 ments at Mellifont,t Bective,} and Newtown§ Abbeys were not laid down at the time of their being built. We know 
 that the beautifully enriched buildings of Mellifont were adorned with appropriate gilding, and the richest colours, traces 
 of which still remain ; and we cannot but suppose, that a pavement which resulted from, and so harmonized with, these 
 
 •Oxford Glossary of Architecture, 3rd edition, 1840, Appen. in voce Tiles. 
 
 t Mellifont Abbey was founded 1142, by Donough O'Carroll, prince of Oriel, at the entreaty of St. Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh. 
 It was the first C'istertian Abbey in Ireland, and was first inhabited by Monks sent from the parent establishment of Clairvaux, Normandy, 
 where they had been educated by St. Bernard, for that purpose, four of them being Irishmen. It was consecrated, with great pomp, in 1157. 
 
 X Bective was founded in 1146 or 1152, by Murchard O'Melaghlin, King of Meath, for Cistertian Monks, under the invocation of the 
 Virgin Mary. It was called the Abbey de Beatitudine. 
 
 § Newtown was founded about 1206, by Simon de Rochfort, Bishop of Meath. It was afterwards made a Priory, and dedicated to 
 St. Peter and St. Paul. Archdall. Mon. Hib. 
 
5 
 
 polychromatic ornamentings, was at the same time adopted. A question may certainly exist, as to whether we derived 
 the knowledge and use of these Encaustic Tiles from England, whether we are indebted to the Norman builders of 
 Mellifont, or were ourselves the first to communicate them ; but there can, we think, be little doubt as to the accuracy 
 of referring the earliest of these Irish Tiles to the middle and end of the twelfth century. The identity of several 
 of the patterns here shewn, though met with in different Churches (they appear to have been formed from the same 
 mould, as the same errors and want of symmetry are repeated in all) proves that they have been derived from the 
 same source, be that source native or foreign. 
 
 With regard to the third variety we have more satisfactory evidence. They evince a great departure from the 
 true principles, which led to the adoption of the Encaustic pavements. In a pavement, where the light comes from 
 every side, any thing tending to cast a shadow, whether raised or depressed, is objectionable, independently of the 
 obvious inconvenience of an uneven surface to walk on. In the impressed tiles the parts sunk bear such a very small 
 proportion to the entire surface, that these difficulties are in a great degree obviated ; though we have seen that even 
 these were soon abandoned for the more perfect Encaustic tile ; but the imperfection, as a pavement, of the tiles in 
 relief must be obvious at a glance. For these and similar reasons, independently of more direct proof, we would be 
 inclined to refer them to an era, when the knowledge of the arts had declined, and the just principles of design were 
 neglected. But we have more positive evidence. In the specimen from Howth Abbey, fig. 7, the costume, in which 
 the figure is represented, is clearly referrible to the sixteenth century.* The tiles from Bective Abbey, figs. 1, 2, and 3, 
 agree with this date in the style of their patterns ; and are fixed, by the occurrence of the double or Tudor rose in 
 some,t as belonging to the end of the fifteenth century. And we have a still further proof in the heraldic tile, fig. 4. 
 This (from Bective Abbey) represents the arms of the Fitzgeralds, with the motto, Crom Abo, and the words in old 
 French, Si Dieu plet. The corners of the tile are filled in with some foliage ; at either side of the shield, or scutcheon, 
 are the letters G and E. The form of this shield is in itself sufficient to mark its date, as not prior to the end of the 
 fifteenth, or beginning of the sixteenth century. 
 
 For an interesting illustration of this tile we are indebted to the kindness of G. Petrie, Esq. It is taken from 
 an unpublished manuscript, entitled, " A Descriptive Account of the County of Kildare, by Thomas Monk, drawn up 
 for Sir Wm. Petty." — Southwell M.SS. Having mentioned the town of Kildare, as furnishing the title to the eldest 
 branch of the Geraldines, or Fitzgeralds, he goes on to say : — 
 
 " A family that hath flourished for some hundreds of years in this Country, whoe as early as the Conquest planted 
 " themselves in this soyle, and so prospered under the sunshine of Boyall favour, the ordinary effects of approuved 
 " Loyalty, that they did not only possesse the greatest part of this Tract contayned within the Counties of Meath, 
 " Kildare, and Catherloe, (Carlow) but a great part of Munster, pticularly Lymrick, and the Countries adjoyneinge, in 
 " the center whereof there is an aintient pile of the Earles, called Crom, whence the Earles' motto, Crom a boe, of which 
 " there are various interpritations ; but the most probable is, that it was taken up as a watch-word by some of the 
 " family of Crom, when their Territories were infested, or their psons assalted, by some other great seep, amongst 
 " whome there were continuall feuds and bickerings (for, aboe, and a boe ab aboe, are words of Exclamacon or hue 
 " and cry amongst the natives at this day) they, liveing in a state of warr, and so pemtorily tenatious were they of 
 " their barbarous Customs longe after the Conquest, and the English soe degenerated, that the mischeifes that usually 
 " ensued, hereon, were soe imanent, as to be thought worthy of the consideracon of a Parliament, whoe judged it 
 " fitt to passe a sever act for the suppresing of all such ; and, therefore, a singular favour don this E. to be 
 " allowed to retain it, for his Empressd or word, and how vallued by the said Earles appeares by an inscription on 
 " the Edge of a marble Table remaininge in a Garden adjoyninge the said house of Manooth, in these words, 
 " Geraldus Comes Kildarie, filius Geraldi Anno Dom. 1533. Si Dieu plet,J Crom a bo." 
 
 The attaynting of the Fitzgeralds, alluded to in the foregoing extract, occurred in 1494, in a parliament hold en 
 in Drogheda, by Sir E. Poynings, during the life of Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare, where the motto of the 
 Fitzgeralds, Crom a boo — of the Ormonds, Butler a boo — of the Desmonds, Shanet a boo — and of the Clanrickards, 
 
 * See Meyrict's Armour. t This pattern will be given in a future part. 
 
 J The occurrence of Norman French at so late a date is interesting. See Cotman's Sepul. Brasses. Vol. 1. page 15. 
 
6 
 
 Galriagh a boo — were all adjudged unlawful, and a means of nourishing dissension between noble families, and were 
 abrogated.* But the Earl of Kildare having been sent to the king, to answer for these and other crimes, among which 
 was the burning of the Church of Cashel, and having, by his blunt frankness, convinced his majesty of his sincerity, 
 he was, in 1496, by patent, restored to his honours and estates. He died in 1513. He married first, Alison, daughter 
 of Sir Rowland Eustace of Harristown, in Kildare, baron Portlester; she died in 1495, and in 1496 he married, 
 secondly, Elizabeth, daughter of Oliver St. John of Lydiard Tregoze, in Cornwall, who died in 1516. From the 
 occurrence of the motto on the tile, and the initials, G and E, (Gerald and Elizabeth) it is evident, that if it should 
 be referred to this Earl, it must have been subsequent to his restoration to the title and to his second marriage in 1 496. 
 But from the remarkable coincidence of the same words, it is more than probable that the tile should be referred to 
 his son, Gerald, ninth Earl, (the one mentioned in the extract) who was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John, Lord 
 Zouch of Codnovre. It is probable that the Fitzgeralds built the cloisters of Bective Abbey, the style of architecture 
 of which also corresponds to this date, and at the same time laid down this pavement. 
 
 Another fact, which tends to prove that these raised tiles are of more recent date, is their non occurrence at 
 St. Patrick's, Dublin, where the other varieties are so abundant. Mason, in his history of this Cathedral,f quoting 
 from a manuscript decription, by Butler, says, — " In the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII. the great stone arch, 
 which covered the west aisle, fell in, and destroyed many ancient monuments. The level of the west aisle was raised, 
 by this accumulation of rubbish, three feet above the original floor, a circumstance which was discovered by sinking 
 a grave near the west gate. It appeared to be a beautiful work, composed of small burnished tiles, four inches square, 
 so artfully cemented together, that it was with difficulty two of them were taken up w"hole. Each tile bore the 
 representation of an indented figure, those preserved had a lion on one side, and a rose on the other." It is curious, 
 that while this reference, so far as the lion is concerned, is evidently correct, (see No. 8) there is no trace whatever 
 of any tiles having a pattern on both sides ; and as this is obviously an error, or some confusion in the words, we are 
 inclined to suppose it an oversight on the part of the writer, not to have noticed the Encaustic tiles, which also occur 
 in abundance. Be this as it may, we think that the non occurrence of the raised tiles at St. Patricks, shews that 
 they were not in general use before the early part of the sixteenth century, about which time the roof fell in.} 
 
 We have gone with greater detail into the question of the date of these tiles in relief, because they have been 
 referred to the twelfth century, as we believe erroneously, and as we hope we have proved with regard to the Irish 
 examples. 
 
 Another point of interest as regards these tiles has lately had some light thrown on it, we allude to their com- 
 parative cost now and formerly. In the accounts of the alterations and repairs at Hampton Court, subsequently to its 
 passing from Cardinal Wolsey into the hands of Henry VIII. and which were kept with the most scrupulous accuracy, 
 we find several entries in the year 1536, (27th Henry VIII.) bearing on this matter, — § 
 
 " Item of M, M, M, M, (4000) Flemyshe pavynge tiles, of greeene and youllow, at Vs. the hundrythe"— again, " pavynge tiles anneled 
 " for the kynge's new hall, at XXVI.s. VHI.d. the M (thousand ;") and again, " VI. thousand and fourscore of pavynge tiles, delivered 
 " at Hampton Court for to pave the Kynge's new hall, at XXVI.s. VHI.d. the thousand." 
 
 Allowing for the difference in the value of money then and now, (and estimating this from the price of provisions, 
 which is frequently mentioned in these accounts, it would appear to be about seven times its present value) the tiles then 
 varied in price from about 20s. to 35s. per hundred. They are at present sold differently, viz. by the square yard, 
 the number in a square yard varying, of course, with the size of the tile used. For a square yard the price at present 
 charged is 18s. to 20s. ; and if we suppose the size used to be that of the majority of those here shewn, it would require 
 about sixty-four to the square yard, or about 32s. 6d. per hundred, somewhat less than their cost in the sixteenth 
 century — while from improvements in the mode of manufacture, the modern tiles are more perfect than the old 
 examples, all warping and other defects being avoided ; and there is no doubt, that, if the demand were increased, the 
 price would be much reduced. 
 
 * Lodge's Peerage of Ireland, Vol. I. 
 + Page 4. 
 
 J There can be little doubt that many tiles still exist under the present flagging of St. Patrick's, which some future repairs will bring to light. 
 
 6 Athenaeum, No. 762. 1842. 
 
7 
 
 Independently, however, of the interest which these tiles possess, as specimens of the arts, and examples of the 
 taste and style of the ages to which they belong, they acquire an additional value when taken in connection with the 
 history of the establishments where they occur, and compared with others from distant localities. We have above 
 mentioned the identity in pattern of many from different places in Ireland ; and if we further compare the Irish speci- 
 mens with those from England, &c. which have been published, we are at once struck by the remarkable similarity in 
 many. Thus, several of the patterns now remaining at St. Patrick's, Dublin, are nearly identical with some from 
 Malvern, in Worcestershire ; and it is, therefore, interesting to find, that about the probable date of these tiles, a 
 connection existed between the two places, for in 1225, the year in which St. Patrick's was made a Cathedral 
 establishment, the prior and brethren of Malvern the less, re-granted to it one half the tithes of Castleknock,* (which 
 had been given to them in 1221.) A similar connection existed between Newtown and Malvern, for in 1224, we find 
 the prior of the latter establishment granting to the priory of St. Peter and St. Paul, at Newtown, all the lands of 
 Dunsink, and rents out of Keppock and Dobber, &c,f Now, since it is certain, from the discovery of a kiln at 
 Malvern, with portions of tiles in the several stages of the process, that the tiles there used were manufactured on the 
 spot,} it would appear probable, that some of the Irish tiles had also been derived from the same source, and were 
 possibly among the earliest here used ; these were, however, of the Encaustic variety. But even supposing this to be 
 the case, it is obvious, from the many peculiarities, which the Irish patterns present, notwithstanding their general 
 resemblance, and from the identity of the material of most of them, with that which is obtained where they occur, 
 that though a few may have been imported the majority were manufactured on the spot. Nor can any argument 
 against this idea be drawn from state of the arts at the time. Long prior to this, it is undoubted, that the Irish were 
 well skilled in many of the more difficult arts. Enamelling, Jewelling, &c. were carried to a high degree of perfection,^ 
 and at a later period the manufacture of earthenware was in parts of the island conducted with great skill ;|| nor can 
 it be supposed, that the genius which planned, and the ability which completed these abbeys, beautiful even in their 
 ruins, would be unequal to the task of designing or executing their ornamental pavements. 
 
 But if, on the other hand, our supposition that the pavement tiles at Mellifont were laid down at the time of its 
 erection, (1142 — 1157) by monks from Normandy, be correct, it would then appear more probable, that the first 
 knowledge of these tiles was derived from thence ; and bearing in mind that Mellifont and Bective were both Cistertian 
 establishments ; the following notice, obligingly communicated to us by the Rev. Richard Butler, is extremely inter- 
 esting. In Martini's Thesaurus Anecdotorum, among the " Select statutes of a general chapter of the Cistertian 
 order" is one — "Anno 1210. Let the Abbat of Beaubec (in Normandy) who has for a long time allowed his monk 
 to construct, for persons, who do not belong to the order, pavements, which exhibit levity and curiosity, be in slight 
 penance for three days, the last of them on bread and water ; and let the monk be recalled before the feast of All 
 Saints, and never again be lent, excepting to persons of our order, with whom, let him not presume to construct 
 pavements, which do not extend the dignity of the order. "% These pavements must have been either mosaics, (tesse- 
 lated pavements) or tiles ; probably, from the manner in which they are described, the latter. In either case, it proves 
 that ornamental pavements had been a long time in use prior to the beginning of the thirteenth century. Nor should 
 the fact be overlooked of the jealousy with which the use of them was sought to be confined to this monastic order.** 
 We feel convinced, that the fashion, so to speak, of the several orders, exerted a very powerful influence on the 
 ecclesiastical architecture of those ages, and that while the great principles of design were necessarily common to 
 all, as being derived from the same elements, there were many details peculiar to each, which the jealousy or 
 ignorance of rival orders prevented from being adopted by them for years. 
 
 • Mason's History of St. Patrick's, page 106. t Arehdall, page 561. } Card's Malvern, pp. 33—34, and app. 53. 
 
 §See an able essay by 0. Connor, Stowe. Cat. "Vol. I. app. No. 1. Stuart's Armagh. Petrieon Domnach Airgid. R.I. A. Trans. 
 || See M.S. Tour in 1708, Lib. T.C.D. quoted in " Belfast and its Environs." Dub. 1842. An excellent little guide book. 
 1 Abbas de Belbec, qui monachum suum personis, quoe non sunt de ordine, ad constrnenda pavimenta, quae levitatem et curiositatem 
 praaferunt, longo tempore concessit, tribus diebus sit in levi culpa, imo eorum in pane et aqua, et monachus infra festuin omnium sanctorum 
 Tevocetnr et non nisi personis ordinis nostri de cetero commodandus, apud quas non preesumat construere pavimenta, qute maturitatcm ordinis 
 non pifetendunt— Mar. Thes. Tom. IV. p.1308 
 
 *• Among other places in England where these tiles occur, we might mention Chertsey, Gloucester, Malvern, Romsey, Wherwell, &c. &c. 
 all Benedictine establishments, of which order the Cistertian was a branch. 
 
8 
 
 Fordun in his Scotichronicon, lib. vi. (Vol. III. page 628) speaking of James Biset, Prior of St. Andrew's, 
 (elected 1393, died 1416) states, that he completed the nave of the great Church, &c. &c. and decently repaired the 
 cloister square, both in its pavements and coverings (tarn tecturis quam pavimentis decenter reparavit.) And again, 
 James Haldenstone, (elected 1414, died .1443) is said to have richly ornamented the Church, &c. &c. and to have 
 suitably adorned it with polished pavements, (" ac politis pavimentis decenter perlustravit") and to have made the 
 whole extent of the choir, transepts, cloisters, &c. level with smooth pavements ; (" placidis pavimentis complanavit) 
 and during his time, William of Balloch, the subprior, finished the dormitory very handsomely and suitably with tiles 
 and other pavements ; (" per lateres et alia pavimenta perpulchre et decenter perfecerunt") and also, " pavimentis 
 polivit refectorium." Fordun Vol. III. page 636, 637. It is evident from this casual mention of tiles, and polished 
 pavements, as a thing well known, that they must have been in common use long prior to this date. 
 
 But our data are as yet quite insufficient to admit of such inquiries or comparisons being traced to any satisfactory 
 result. For this, it would be necessary to bring together as complete a series as possible of the examples at present 
 remaining. We are anxious to accomplish this, as far as the Irish Tiles are concerned, and we possess already 
 many, which we have not been able to give in the present publication, with which, should circumstances allow, we 
 purpose continuing the series, and we would feel exceedingly obliged by the communication of any tiles, or accurate 
 drawings, which may enable us to complete our illustrations. 
 
 We have to express our deep obligations to several friends for their assistance already. To J. Huband Smith, Esq. 
 M.R.I. A. for the very liberal manner in which he has placed at our disposal the numerous specimens in his collection, 
 from which several of the engravings have been made, and for the most zealous co-operation ; to the Rev. R. Butler, 
 of Trim, for the tiles from Bective Abbey ; to G. Petrie, Esq. M.R.I. A. for the curious tile from Howth Abbey ; 
 and to G. Du Noyer, Esq. for valuable aid in copying those from St. Patrick's. We have also to apologize for the 
 non-appearance of these pages long since ; they were commenced more than twelve months ago, but were necessarily laid 
 aside, from the pressure of other more important business. 
 
 T. O. 
 
 Those who wish to pursue the subject will find drawings or notices of tiles in the following works, in addition 
 to those mentioned above, viz. — Ducarel's Anglo-Norman Antiq. pp. 59 — 60. Daw. Turner's Picturesque Tour in 
 Normandy, pp. 206 — 208. Dallawav's Heraldic Enquiries. Gentleman's Magazine, 1789, March, pp. 211, 212; 
 1802, November, p. 1001 ; 1819, p. 577, Supplement ; 1833, August, p. 162, and October p. 302 ; 1834, July, p. 41 ; 
 1837, December, p. 572; 1839, December, p. 597. Fosbroke's Encyc. of Antiquities, 1840, pp. 43, 131. Carter's 
 Antient Architecture, pi. xxvii. Carter's Antient Painting and Sculpture pis. xvii., xxxvi., xxxvii., cxii. Gough's 
 Sep. Mon. Vol. 2, p. 82. Lyson's Antiquities of Gloucestershire, pi. 74. Card's Antiquities of Malvern, pp. 33, 34, 
 and Appendix, p. 53, 54. Antiquitates Prio. Maj. Malverni, by Wm. Thomas, 1725, p. 22. Archceologia, Vol. VIII. 
 p. 452, and Vol. XIV. pi. 28. Nichols' Liecestershire. Laund Abbey. Glossary of Architectural Terms, Oxford, Third 
 Edition 1840, and Supplement, (a most useful work.) Caveler's Specimen's of Gothic Architecture. Cresy's Illustra- 
 tions of Stone Church, Kent ; Penny Mag. No. 700, Feb. 1843, and Nicholl's Examples of Encaustic Tiles, three parts 
 published. This last is the only work in which the patterns are given of the full size. Of Irish Tiles we cannot refer 
 to a single representation. 
 
 Nos. 1 to 13 are all impressed tiles. They are peculiar in character, and probably of the twelfth century. A 
 pattern somewhat resembling No. 2 occurs at Caen, (Gent. Mag. Mag. 1789.) No. 7, a border pattern; can this be 
 a representation of the favourite symbol with the early Christians, of the vintage ? No. 9. A two-headed eagle 
 also occurs among the tiles at Exeter, (Geut. Mag. 1834) St. Cross, Winchester, (Carter Ant. Scul. pi. 112.) and 
 Hailes Abbey, (Nichols, No 54.) Nos. 10 A and B shew the different effect of the same pattern in the two varieties. 
 Nine tiles have been given in No. 10 B, to shew the knot of interlacing tracery at the corners. Nos. 11, 12, 13. 
 The effect of these united is seen No. 13 A. We are not sure that the centre tile is correctly so placed, as they do 
 not occur together. Compare tiles from Gloucester Cathedral and Malmsbury Abbey, (Gents. Mag. 1837, and Carter 
 Ant. Sculp, pi. xvii.) No. 14. This beautiful pattern is also found as an impressed tile, formed, as No. 10, by 
 double lines. No. 15. The same is found at St. Cross, Winchester, (Carter's Ant. Sculp.) No. 16. Compare tiles 
 from various places, (Nichols' Encaus. Tiles.) No. 19. Compare tiles from Romsey, (Carter's Ant. Sculp) and 
 Winchester, (Nic. En. Tiles, No. 8.) No. 21. Compare tiles from Caen, (Gents. Mag. 1789.) No. 23. Compare 
 tiles from Salisbury Cathedral, (Gents. Mag. 1789.) No. 24. See Nichols' No. 40, from Westminster. 
 
 The initial letter is copied from the Book of Ballymote, an Irish M.S. of the fourteenth century, in the library of 
 the Royal Irish Academy. 
 
No. 1 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN, and MELLIFON I 
 
2— ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN. 
 
No . 3_sT. PA TRICK'S, DUBLIN and BBCTIVE. 
 
I 
 
No. 5 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN, and BECTIVE 
 
6 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
So. 7— ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN. 
 
 s 
 
No. 8 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN, and MELUFONT. 
 
No. ]0 A— ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN and NEWTOWN, 
 
No. 11 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
No. 12— ST PATRICK'S, DUBLIN. 
 
No. 13 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
No. 14-ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
Kn 16 _S1 PATRICK S. DUWJN. 
 
17— ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
No. 18 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
« 
 
No. 19 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
. 20 — ST PATRICK'S, DUBLIN. 
 
t 
 
No. 22 — ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
No M— ST PATRICK'S, DUBLIN. 
 
_£T PATRICK'S, DUBLIN 
 
Speech 91-^ 
 
 I 545 % 
 
 15 454- 
 
 THE GETTY C 
 LIBRAR