Missing

Uncovered during the restoration work of 1875, when it formed part of the jamb of the east window of the south aisle (Pape 1946–7, 21). Last recorded in the south porch in 1947–8 by Steele (1947–8a, 121), where it was 'set up securely on an oak platform' (Pape 1945–6, 27), but illustrated by a rubbing in Plunkett (1984, pl. 36), indicating that it was still in the church at that time. Noted as missing by Sidebottom 1994, 110.

St Peter

Recorded by Jeavons (1945–6, 112) as having been cut down the length of the narrow sides and trimmed back on C and D to form the jamb.

The following is based on the surviving photographic evidence (Le Blanc Smith 1904b, fig. 1; Jeavons 1945–6, pl. XIX.4; Pape 1946–7, pl. facing 21; Steele 1947–8a, pl. XIII.19), and Plunkett’s rubbing (Plunkett 1984, pl. 36), all of which provide information for A and B only.

A (broad): Bounded by a wide flat angle moulding on the right, with the remains of a similar moulding on the left, and filled with an interlace pattern of opposing Stafford knots with two extra strands forming a simple twist through the centre of the design (illustrated Pape 1945–6, fig. on 28).

B (narrow): Decorated with two panels of figural ornament separated by a flat horizontal moulding extending from the wide angle moulding on the left. (i) The upper panel contained a short figure with a pellet on either side of the legs. The upper body faced forwards and the legs, flexed at the knees, turned to the left. The arms of the figure were upraised, with the hands apparently clenched on either side of the head, which was surrounded by a double outline that seems to have been contiguous with the left shoulder. The figure wore a pleated garment with a deeply drooping hemline curving up over the thighs. (ii) In the lower panel was a taller figure, similarly disposed, with the torso facing forwards, and the legs, flexed at the knees, turned to the left. The feet have been lost in the lower break, but the remains of a pellet are visible on either side of the legs. The head, an elongated oval shape, seems to have had hair depicted as a series of short curls radiating out around the skull. Over the head is a horizontal moulding that turns down at each end to flank the head to the level of the ears. Upraised towards this are the figure’s much foreshortened arms, the hands apparently clenched. The torso is covered by a large circular feature decorated with a double rosette; the inner one having five petals and the outer, thirteen. Below, a belt crosses the figure’s waist, attached to which, on the right and crossing the lower body diagonally, is a short sword with a prominent pommel. The figure wore a garment with a deeply drooping hemline that curves up over the thighs. It is marked with seven lines radiating from waist to hem.

C (broad) and D (narrow): Unavailable. Described by Jeavons (1945–6, 112) as cut back; confirmed by Plunkett’s rubbing (Plunkett 1984, pl. 36).

Like the shafts at Checkley (1 and 2) in Staffordshire and those at Norbury (1 and 2) in Derbyshire, the carved decoration on the remains of this shaft clearly included an admixture of well-formed interlace patterns and panels of figures represented in a highly stylised manner. As the shaft was cut back on B the full width of the face has been lost. Nevertheless, being only 23 cm (9 in) wide, with A (also cut back), being only 39.4 cm (15.5 in) wide, it is not unlikely that the panels contained more than one figure in each. And, as is the case with the Checkley and Norbury shafts, the figural panels of Alstonefield 2 also retain the remains of pellet ornament at the base of each panel; this links them ultimately, along with the other Staffordshire monuments, to the decorative repertoire displayed at Sandbach in Cheshire (Bailey 2010, 99–122). It is an association that also includes the distinctive double outline round the head (of the upper Alstonefield figure); the flexed, profile legs and feet; and the short tunic with its deeply drooping hem-line. As at Checkley and Ilam (Ills. 524, 557, 559) the figures also have their arms raised in the distinctive orans pose, while the lower figure preserves the stylised ‘halo’ framing his head. Unlike the Checkley and Ilam figures, however, but shared with those at Norbury (Ill. 234), this lower figure bears the accoutrements of battle: a large shield carried over his chest, and a sword worn diagonally across his waist. While this clearly denotes the portrayal of a secular male warrior figure, the attitude of prayer which he adopts suggests the stone may have been erected as a memorial to a noted member of the local community and his Christian affiliations.

Probably tenth century

Purchas 1898–9, 87–8; Allen 1903, 101; Le Blanc Smith 1904b, 232–5, fig. 1; Le Blanc Smith 1905b, 96; Le Blanc Smith 1906, 229; Pape 1930–1, 145; Jeavons 1945–6, 112–13, pl. XIX.4; Pape 1945–6, 27–9, fig. on 28; Pape 1946–7, 21–2, 46, pl. facing 21; Steele 1947–8a, 121, pl. XIII.19; Plunkett 1984, 132–3, 138, 251 n.6, 273–4, 289, 355, pl. 36 (Alstonefield I); Sidebottom 1994, 103, 109, 110, 148, 218 (Alstonefield 16); Bailey 1996, 84–5; Greenslade 1996b, 23–4; Hawkes 2002a, 124–5, 141; Bailey 2010, 24; Bergius 2012, 373

[1] The following are non-specific references to monuments at Alstonefield: Purchas 1898–9, 87; (—) 1900, 196; (—) 1914–15, 204; (—) 1930–1, 163; Pape 1930–1, 145–6; (—) 1934–5, 85; Steele 1947–8a, 119; Steele 1947–8b, 173; Butler 1964, 112; Fisher 1968, 57; Pevsner 1974, 54–5; Plunkett 1984, 145–9, 285; Leonard 1995, 71; Greenslade 1996b, 21, 23–4; Sharpe 2002, 58