Appendix B item (stones wrongly associated with pre-Conquest period)

Four fragments of a sandstone panel or grave-cover now in Gloucester Museum, A2033–2036. Found in the chancel wall of St Mary's during the restoration in 1884.

No. 3 is decorated with a large, flat-faced carving of a stylised ring-knot above which rise three long narrow triangles. Between the outer and inner rings of the knot lie the paired bulbous terminals of a central motif (possibly a cross) now almost totally missing. There are traces of a plain border. On no. 4 is a large bearded face in profile looking to the rght towards a smaller figure who is holding in outstretched arms a linear object that terminates at the bottom in a large circular shape. This smaller figure wears a large cloak or cope covered by shallow, cross-hatched diagonal lines, but the head and legs are missing. On the surviving edge of no. 5 are the remains of a plain border. The orientation of this fragment is difficult to establish, but it is suggested that a carved ring-knot at the top rises from a collared shaft. The shaft passes downwards between a pair of in-turned angular features with bulbous terminals. To the right, a circular, cross-hatched motif, perhaps a tassle, hangs down from the end of a five-strand cord beside a large flat area that may be the side of the garment of the large figure (see nos. 4 and 6). No. 6 has been recut for re-use. On the surviving edges there are traces of a plain border. The carving consists of the lower part of a long garment and the feet of a large figure facing right.

These four stones are, almost certainly, four fragments of a single slab that seems to taper from the head towards the foot. The head of the slab has angled sides. However none of the fragments fit together, and it is therefore difficult to establish what the overall design might have looked like. The monument is dominated by a large figure turned in profile to the right and wearing shoes and a full-length garment. In front of and facing the main figure stands a smaller figure holding out in stiff arms what may be a censer.

Comments on the dating of these fragments range from the tenth to the thirteenth century. However the quality of these Newent carvings is a fairly 'rustic', and such pieces are always more difficult to date than pieces of higher quality. The ring-knot device certainly remained in use until the twelfth century or later (Burgess 1963, 89), and while a tenth-century date is much too early, a date range of late eleventh to thirteenth century is possible.