Tintagel is situated on the North Cornish coast and is often lashed by winds blowing in from the sea. The church sits on a very exposed place not far from the cliff edge about 1 mile to the east of the town and is accessed by traveling along a small lane which ends at the church. The legendary home of King Arthur the town itself is full of small shops with a whole array of mystical memorabilia.
On the day of my visit it was raining very heavily and the wind was howling in from the sea. The church was rathr dark inside and it was great to get into a warmer place.
Looking around I came across this old incised slate slab which was fixed to the wall. It comemorates Christopher, the son of Christopher Chilcott : Vicar who appear to have died in January around four hundred years ago. The actual date is difficult to read due to damage to the corner.
The text starts :-
"This was too sweet a babe for earth. Thus fate is paradise did Him in Oculate"
The carving is primitive in its style and form and I wonder if it was made by the Vicar himself.
Cornwall has many such slabs but this is one of the most moving.
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