Early medieval cross fragments (Newbiggin-by-the-Sea; Wansbeck)
[NZ 3013 8884] Fragments of pre-Conquest crosses have been found on this site [Woodhorn Church]. (1)
There are three fragments of pre-Conquest crosses preserved in Woodhorn Church. Two of the fragments are situated on top of a partition wall in the arch which connects the tower with the nave. One fragment is a cross head with the lower arm missing. The span of the arms is 0.5m and the head is 0.1m thick. The other is a fragment of cross shaft, measuring 0.3m x 0.1m in section with a length of 1m. Both fragments are heavily decorated with an interlacing design. The third fragment is built into the interior of the west wall of the south porch. The fragment is of a tapering cross shaft measuring 0.5m at the base, 0.4m at the top, and with a length of 0.9m. The upper 0.25m is decorated with an interlacing design. Built into the wall at the base of this shaft is another stone of similar width. Its position was intended to convey that it was part of the shaft, but it bears no decoration and there is insufficient evidence to associate it with the other fragments. The exact provenance of these cross fragments was not discovered during field investigation. (2)
Condition unchanged. (3)
Full description of the crosss-fragments, which are dated to the mid 10th-mid 11th centuries. The carving is very deep with fine stranded interlace. The patterns, however, are weak and wavering. Link with the workshops of the Durham community. Date, mid-10th to mid-11th century.
Also in the church are three round-headed grave markers, on display in the chancel but apparently originally in the church porch:
i) 0.40m x 0.43m x 0.09m deep. Unworn. Head- or foot-stone. A small linear cross carved on one broad face. It does not conform to any recognised pre-Conquest type;
ii) 0.40m x 0.36m x 0.14m deep. Unworn. Cross carved on each broad face. Date, 11th century;
iii) 0.36m x 0.41m x 0.11m deep. Unworn. A cross carved on each broad face. Date, second half of the 11th century. (4)
Two fragments of late Anglian sculpture in Woodhorn Church. (5)
General association with Church of St Mary (HER 12050). (6)
There are three fragments of pre-Conquest crosses preserved in Woodhorn Church. Two of the fragments are situated on top of a partition wall in the arch which connects the tower with the nave. One fragment is a cross head with the lower arm missing. The span of the arms is 0.5m and the head is 0.1m thick. The other is a fragment of cross shaft, measuring 0.3m x 0.1m in section with a length of 1m. Both fragments are heavily decorated with an interlacing design. The third fragment is built into the interior of the west wall of the south porch. The fragment is of a tapering cross shaft measuring 0.5m at the base, 0.4m at the top, and with a length of 0.9m. The upper 0.25m is decorated with an interlacing design. Built into the wall at the base of this shaft is another stone of similar width. Its position was intended to convey that it was part of the shaft, but it bears no decoration and there is insufficient evidence to associate it with the other fragments. The exact provenance of these cross fragments was not discovered during field investigation. (2)
Condition unchanged. (3)
Full description of the crosss-fragments, which are dated to the mid 10th-mid 11th centuries. The carving is very deep with fine stranded interlace. The patterns, however, are weak and wavering. Link with the workshops of the Durham community. Date, mid-10th to mid-11th century.
Also in the church are three round-headed grave markers, on display in the chancel but apparently originally in the church porch:
i) 0.40m x 0.43m x 0.09m deep. Unworn. Head- or foot-stone. A small linear cross carved on one broad face. It does not conform to any recognised pre-Conquest type;
ii) 0.40m x 0.36m x 0.14m deep. Unworn. Cross carved on each broad face. Date, 11th century;
iii) 0.36m x 0.41m x 0.11m deep. Unworn. A cross carved on each broad face. Date, second half of the 11th century. (4)
Two fragments of late Anglian sculpture in Woodhorn Church. (5)
General association with Church of St Mary (HER 12050). (6)
N12040
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1954; E Geary
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