On a high shelf (former upper floor support) against the north wall of the vestry

Found in 1873 during the restoration of the church, built into the north wall of the nave near the west end (Lukis 1875–6, 76).

St Mary

Very worn and some evidence of obliteration of the central part of each broad face

The cross-head has a knob on the top arm which is type A10, the lateral arms are type B10. The faces are outlined by a heavy roll moulding.

A (broad) : In the upper arm is a small standing cross with wedge-shaped arms (type B1) which is set on a T-shaped base and an indistinct round feature in the centre of the cross. In the left arm are four incised horizontal lines forming four raised 'rods'. The centre and most of the right arm are obliterated although there are tips of what may be similar 'rods' at the top margin.

B (narrow) : The end of the horizontal arm has an incised saltire cross.

C (broad) : This face is almost obliterated, but possibly has a knot at the end of each arm linked by long strands around a central feature.

D (narrow) : As face B.

E (top) : In the centre of the upper arm terminal is a damaged boss or knob.

This piece is so closely similar to Finghall 5 (Ills. 245–9) that they must be the products of the same local group or even individual carver. In both the cross-head is enhanced by additional crosses on the broad face A and the ends of the arms, and both have the bar-like or finger-like features extending to the edges of the arms on face A.

Coatsworth considered that these were merely decorative features, and that 'the intention to represent Christ on the cross seems very doubtful' (Coatsworth 1979, II, 74). Nevertheless, given the other crude Crucifixion scenes on crosses from this area, for example Thornton Steward 1, 4 and 5, Thornton Watlass 1 and 2, or Sinnington 11 (Lang 1991, ill. 814), where the extended fingers fill the end of the arm, it is perhaps better not to rule out the possibility of this being intended to invoke the crucified Christ, with the prominent circle on face A at Finghall also to be related to the Host on the two cross-heads from Thornton Watlass (see Chapter V).

Tenth to eleventh century

Lukis 1875–6, 75, 76, figs. facing 82; Morris, J. 1904, 389; Collingwood 1907, 271, 272, 273, 407, fig. a on 406; McC[all] 1908, 4–5; McCall 1910, 142–3; Collingwood 1912, 121, 127; Page, W. 1914, 395; Collingwood 1927a, 87, 103; Morris, J. 1931, 388; Mee 1941, 245; Pevsner 1966, 378; Coatsworth 1979, II, 73–4, pls. 168a–b; Tweddle 1987, 157; Bailey and Cramp 1988, 153; Lang 1991, 98

[1] The following are general references to the Wath stones: Macquoid 1883, 230; Gregson 1893, 287; Bulmer 1890, 845; Bogg [1895], 306; (—) 1896–1905d, cxliii; Morris, J. 1904, 389, 420; McCall 1910, 138, 142; Page, W. 1914, 394, 395; Morris, J. 1931, 388, 417. The following is an unpublished manuscript reference to the Wath stones: BL Add. MS 37552 no. XIV, item 806 (Romilly Allen collection).