2a, built into outer face of south aisle over the south doorway, immediately below string-course. 2b, built into the reveal of the south jamb of the tower arch, close to ground level

2a probably came to light (with Lincoln St Mary 3, 4, 5 and several later medieval fragments) during the restorations of 1870 and following, that culminated in the completion of the new south aisle in 1877 ((—) 1877–8c, lxxv; Hammersley 1975, 9–11). 2b, no direct evidence. The stone was noted in this position by 1886 (Browne 1885–6, 125). Whether it came to light during the restorations of 1870 and following and was inserted here during the refurbish-ment of the tower arch that was responsible for its modern fabric, or was reused in the original building of the tower is uncertain. Hunt reported that it had been found when restoring the tower ((—) 1913–14a, vii), though Hammersley's information (1975, 5) has it that 'the stone was built the other way round and only exposed in 1871'.

St Mary-le-Wigford

2a, good; covered with atmospheric pollution from exposure in its present position. 2b, good

A (top): The only visible face of stone 2a is decorated with a run of four-strand plait, from one end of which a single strand emerges to link on to adjacent decoration. Alongside is a straight cable-moulded roll; this is not an original edge since stone surface survives beyond it.

B (long): Stone 2b is decorated in low relief with two horizontal runs of interlace divided from each other by a cable-moulded rib or fillet, the incisions for whose cabling continue onto the adjacent plain ground. The upper, narrower field is occupied by a run of tight three-strand plait, which develops symmetrically out of either side of a 'bull's head' (Fig. 11). The bull's head extends downwards and penetrates the line of the dividing rib, which diverts slightly around it, but does not disturb the lower run of interlace. The head is given emphasis by a pair of incised lines marking the noseband and by incised lines that cross over the nose and curve down the horns. The interlace of the broad lower panel is ornamented with a single incised medial line, and consists of a four-strand pattern that incorporates two figure-of-eight motifs (simple pattern F) and two free rings. This pattern may have been repeated symmetrically on the other side of the bull's head. The lower edge of the stone has a broad plain border and the complete end of the interlaced panel has a border that is cable-moulded on the level of the interlace.

This is probably not the end of the cover, but rather one half of a double cabled or vertical chevron run dividing the long central panel from a lost vertical end panel.

Their range of decoration, layout and workmanship show both these stones to be parts of a large flat-topped chest-like cover of mid-Kesteven type (see Chapter V and Table 4). They are probably from the same cover. 2b is certainly a section of the side panel. It shares the bull's head motif with other covers and fragments in this group (Fig. 11), and the mixture of figure-of-eight and free rings, and the use of a medial incision on the broad strands of the interlace are also typical. 2a may probably be a transverse panel from the lid of the cover (see reconstruction in Fig. 9).

If the report is correct that 2b was reused in the tower arch of later eleventh- or early twelfth-century date and owes its present exposure simply to being turned round in the Victorian restoration, then this provides the best archaeological context for this type of cover. This example might be presumed to have been a monument in the graveyard of the stone church represented by the west wall of the nave, that was cleared to enable the tower to be added (Taylor and Taylor 1965, 391–4).

Mid tenth to early eleventh century

Stone 2a: unpublished. Stone 2b: Browne 1885–6, 125; (—) 1913–14a, vii; Davies 1915, 52; Hill 1948, 138, pl. 7; Fisher 1962, 285; Pevsner and Harris 1964, 145; Taylor and Taylor 1965, 393; Taylor 1974b, 348; Hammersley 1975, 5; Pevsner et al. 1989, 498