The Corpus: Lindisfarne 21

Volume I: County Durham and Northumberland

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Current Display: Lindisfarne 21, Northumberland

Overview

Object type: Plain cross-base [1]

Measurements:

H. 70 cm (23.5 in); W. 107 > 98 cm (42 > 38.5 in); D. 93.5 > 82.5 cm (36.75 > 32.5 in)

Socket: 56 x 34.3 x 14 cm (22 x 13.5 x 5.5 in)

Stone type: Very coarse sandstone (grit)

Plate numbers in printed volume: Pl. 198.1108-1109

Corpus volume reference: Vol 1 p. 201-202

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Present Location

Churchyard at east end of St Mary's Church, Lindisfarne

Evidence for Discovery

First mentioned in 1907-8, but possibly on site for some time. Known locally as `Petting Stone'

Church Dedication

St Mary

Present Condition

Weathered

Description

There is no trace of decoration, but the south side has a deep square-cut groove about 20 cm (4 in) deep by 30.5 cm (12 in) wide.

Discussion

Although very worn the raised edge of the socket might originally have been comparable to that of the buried base, no. 20. This socket would have held a squarish rather than a narrow cross and may therefore be early.

Date

Last quarter of eighth to end of ninth century

References

(—) 1907-8b, 290; Peers 1923-4, 269

Endnotes

1. The following are general references to the Lindisfarne stones: (—) 1855-7e, 275; (—) 1869-79c, viii; Rivoira 1933, 153; Elliott 1959; 81; Henry 1965, 158; Coatsworth 1981, 25.