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Object type: Fragment of cross-shaft or grave-cover
Measurements: L. 30 cm (11.8 in) W. c. 25 cm (9.8 in) D. Built in
Stone type: [Inaccessible, Lincolnshire Limestone]
Plate numbers in printed volume: Ill. 58
Corpus volume reference: Vol 5 p. 112
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A (broad): A small fragment from a much larger monument. The single visible face appears to show two arms of a small cross of type A1 which are surrounded by a pattern of interlace. Although almost illegible, the interlace appears to have formed a grid which terminates against the cross. The pattern could be resolved as a symmetrical run to either side of the cross-arm, but the fragment is too damaged for certain reconstruction.
Such crosses surrounded by interlace patterns occur both on covers (e.g. Ewerby 1, Ill. 170, and, in a somewhat different form, on many of the examples in the mid-Kesteven grave-cover group), and on shafts (e.g. Cranwell 1, Ill. 105). Of the two monument categories the size of this fragment is perhaps more likely to indicate a shaft rather than a cover, but this cannot be considered firm evidence and an origin within a large grave-cover should not be ruled out.
There is little dating evidence for the fragment. Shafts decorated with such crosses enclosed by interlace range in date from Cranwell 1, which dates from the mid tenth century, through to Harmston 1, which dates from the mid eleventh. Bracebridge 1 probably dates from the middle of this span, i.e. from the late tenth or early eleventh century.
