The Corpus: Batcombe 1

Volume 7: South West England

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Current Display: Batcombe 1, Dorset

Overview

Object type: Fragment

Measurements: L. 13.5 cm (5.5 in); H. 10 cm (4 in); D. Built in

Stone type: Too heavily encrusted for certain identification — appears to be a medium-grained, ?calcareous sandstone — possibly the same as Batcombe 2. [1]

Plate numbers in printed volume: Pl. 43

Corpus volume reference: Vol 7 p. 97

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Present Location

Set in middle of second buttress on south side of chancel

Evidence for Discovery

None, presumably built in when chancel reconstructed in 1864 (Newman and Pevsner 1972, 84)

Church Dedication

St Mary Magdalene

Present Condition

Very weathered

Description

Only one face is visible: a pattern A type knot, with fine widely spread strands and deep cutting; depth of strand 0.75 cm

Discussion

It is impossible to say what type of monument this might have been part of, but the carving is competent.

Date

Possibly eighth to ninth century

References

R.C.H.M.(E.) 1952, xxxvi, 16, pl. 6; Jope 1964, 102n

Endnotes

[1] All stone type identifications in the Dorset section of the catalogue are by C. R. Bristow, except where noted.