An Iris leaf and a mediaeval grave

Apparently today is the height of summer, the summer solstice. Sadly it is dark, pouring with rain and with a temperature more typical of February. Hopefully, the photograph of the detail to be seen on an Iris leaf helps add a little colour to this otherwise drab day.

Today's "extra" is another artefact from our local church. It is a grave slab from the old mediaeval church that was taken down in 1794. The slab dates from the 1400s and is known as the Turing slab or the 'Crusader's stone' and was originally in an aisle to the south of the medieval church. Two knights in plate armour under a canopy and the inscription 'hic jace' (here lies) are incised on the stone. The grave slab was intended to commemorate two members of the Turing family who owned the lands and barony of Foveran from the mid-13th century for 300 years. It is a rare survival as many of the early tombs and effigies of noblemen and churchmen were destroyed during the Reformation in 1560.