These two blocks originated at either end of the same grave-cover. Stone 1a has clearly been reused for building material on two separate occasions, both times within plinths or string-courses, consequently it has two secondary chamfers cut on the arrises on both faces A and F. Only faces A and D retain any original surface and, on both, much of the surface has been removed by later damage. Stone 1b has been cut back on face D and probably split longitudinally to remove the uncut face F. Original surfaces survive on faces A and B.

As reconstructed in Figs. 9 and 27, the grave-cover represented by 1a and b was a large example of the mid-Kesteven group, decorated on both flanks and on the lid with interlace and cable in low relief.

A (top): The lid of the monument is represented on both stones. Its decoration is enclosed within a single cable-moulded border and is subdivided into three panels: two small transverse ones at either end of the cover and a third longitudinal one in between. These three panels are demarcated by runs of double cable moulding. The transverse panel represented on 1b contains an interlace motif of uncertain type, although it is clear that the strand had a medial line. The equivalent transverse panel on 1a is also occupied by a motif of uncertain type, incorporating a free ring. The decoration on the major longitudinal lid panel (in-between the transverse ones) can be reconstructed as a central, double-headed cross surrounded by interlace. The remains of one cross-head are well preserved on 1b although the cross is somewhat less clear on 1a. In both cases the surrounding interlace develops out of the cross-arm terminals. In the upper pair of quadrants in both cases the interlace resembles a simple pattern E knot, but in the longer zone between the two pairs of cross-arms (which only survives on 1b), the units are not symmetrical. On one side the interlace continues with a simple pattern E knot, but on the other there is a unit of simple pattern F. All of the interlace surrounding the two cross-heads is decorated with a double incised medial line, except the pattern F unit which has a single incised medial line.

B (long): This flank of the monument survives only on stone 1b. It shows a field divided in the usual way, with a small upright panel at the end of the face and a long horizontal one. Parallels suggest that there would have been a second upright panel at the far end. The surviving upright panel is divided from the horizontal one by a single cable moulding and is occupied by the remains of a unit of interlace (motif iv, Fig. 10) with a double incised medial line. The long horizontal panel is subdivided into two asymmetrical parts by a horizontal cable moulding, which is continuous underneath a 'bull's head' (Fig. 11) in the upper panel. The upper panel thus created is occupied by a run of three-strand plait developing out of the bull's horns, which is only just discernible at the broken edge of the stone. At the other end of the panel this plait develops out of the horizontal cable moulding. Also developing out of this moulding, the decoration of the lower panel consists of a run of pattern F interlace incorporating a free ring and a unit of motif type iv. This interlace is decorated with a single incised medial line but is broken away before it passes under the bull's nose.

C and E (ends) and F (bottom): Split off.

D (long): The other flank is represented only on stone 1a where an area of original surface decoration has survived later damage. The decorative panels were bounded on their lower edge by a horizontal cable-moulded border, below which was probably (on the evidence of parallels) an undecorated plinth. A cable moulding on the upper edge, which it shared with the lid, can also be reconstructed. The decoration on this side of the monument was probably divided into three panels (a long central one and two almost square ones at either end) by vertical double cable mouldings, of which a part survives on 1a. Within the square panel thus created is the remains of an interlace motif (perhaps type ii, Fig. 10). The long horizontal panel was also decorated with interlace, which begins with a pattern F loop and may develop into a four-strand plait. The surface of face D is too badly damaged to say whether the interlace had a medial line.

Taken together, these two stones allow the almost complete reconstruction of a good example of a large mid-Kesteven grave-cover (Fig. 27). The decoration here is of the characteristic style and many of the distinctive interlace motifs are represented (see Chapter V). The detail of plaits developing out of the cable-moulded panel border (1b, face B) is a distinctive feature of the mid-Kesteven group, and occurs, for example, a few miles to the south at Bassingham 1 (Ill. 34). The Eagle cover is particularly valuable as it permits reconstruction of the double cross motif on the lid. There are six other examples within the group of similar crosses surrounded by interlace (see Fig. 9), but in Lincolnshire it is only at Eagle that we are able to reconstruct a double-ended cross with absolute certainty. The reconstruction of the lid layout with a double-ended cross at Eagle is confirmed by the survival of two such double-ended crosses on near-complete members of the mid-Kesteven group in Nottinghamshire, at Hawksworth (Ill. 482) and at Rolleston (Stapleton 1903; Hill 1916). Given the standardisation of the monument type, however, it is very likely that most, if not all of the known examples had crosses of this general type on their lids. As a member of the mid-Kesteven group the Eagle cover should be dated to the period between the mid tenth and early eleventh century.