cl 
The background, between the figures, is gilded. The mitre is 
of white and gold, but green within. The Saint’s hair is golden ; 
the King’s hair and his companion’s, black; the executioner’s, 
red. The coats of these last are blue with gold border stripe. 
The exterior of the cauldron is red, the interior black. The in- 
struments of torture have red handles, black bowl and blade. The 
countenance of the Martyr is perfectly placid. The visages of 
the torturers, distorted. In treatment and workmanship this 
group is very similar to that of the flaying of St. Bartholomew, 
also carved in alabaster, found some years ago in the Church of 
Lostwithiel. In costume and general design the figures also 
closely resemble those existing in the stained glass window of St. 
George’s Martyrdom in St. Neot’s Church; the saint there de- 
picted, being, like this one, finally beheaded by the King’s com- 
mandment—after passing through a scene thus labelled ‘“ Hic 
pomtur in furno cum plumbo.” 
The dedication of Mabe Church is at present unknown. This 
carved group—or one of the others—may afford a clue. Hals 
suggested a derivation of the name; others give St. Mabe, but 
Dr. Oliver failed to trace out the Patron Saint. Mabe and Mylor 
(St. Melorus*, Martyr), were formerly one benefice. ‘The nearest 
Sunday to St. Matthew’s Day, Sept. 21, is the Parish Feast at 
Mabe, alias Lan-Mabe, La-Vabe, or Lavapper. These name-forms 
seem based on one like the following (1) Mabena, Maben (St. 
Mabyn)—figured in window at St. Neot’s, with crown and palm- 
branch—daughter of King Brechan. (2) Mebered, Mewbredus 
(Patron Saint of Cardynham), also in ancient glass at St. Neot’s, 
holding a head as emblem of decapitation, and thus invoked 
“ Sancte Meberede, oro pro nobis.” (3) Vepa alias Vepus (in whose 
honor St. Veep church seems originally to have been dedicated). 
It is said that hot pitch was poured from ladles on St. Cyriac’s 
head. (Callot, &c.). He was, however, a Deacon—not a Bishop 
as here shewn, (see Butler, Aug. 8); but another Cyriac alias 
Quiriacus was, it appears, Bishop of Jerusalem (Der Heyl: Leben) 
(N. and Q. 1871, viii, 268), and suffered under Julian the Apostate, 
being immersed in a cauldron of boiling oil, and finally, by the 
Tyrant’s order, thrust through the back with a sword, (Comm: 
Oct. 28). Respecting Cyriac, Cyret, and Julitta, Dr. Whittaker 
made much confusion (C.C. i, 197-9). Dr. Oliver (Mon. D. Ex.) 
was surprised at his errors, and corrected them. St. Nicephorus, 
we are told, was tormented through holes in a tub. 
'W. Taco, B.A., (LS. of the Society of Antiquaries, London). 
* Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. 3, pp. 162-3. 
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