The Corpus: Whalley 09

Volume 9: Cheshire and Lancashire

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Current Display: Whalley 09, Lancashire

Overview

Object type: Fragment of shaft or frieze [1]

Measurements: L. 45.7 cm (18 in); W. 13.3 cm (5 in); D. Built in

Stone type: Lime-washed and not visible

Plate numbers in printed volume: Ill. 694

Corpus volume reference: Vol 9 p. 251

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Present Location

Built into the interior chancel wall at seat level at the back of the Early English sedilia.

Evidence for Discovery

Probably first recorded by Browne (1887a, 14), though the identification is not absolutely certain. Willis (1921, 11) later noted its existence.

Church Dedication

St Mary

Present Condition

Colour washed and worn

Description

The fragment is now set horizontally with a rounded and undecorated end (?originally the base) to the east. The decoration is flanked by broad flat borders and consists of median-incised knotwork whose organisation is muddled in the central section. To the right is a three-strand plait; to the left a more irregular form of knotwork with loose end and non-continued strand.

Discussion

Edwards originally claimed this fragment as a building stone in situ but later withdrew this suggestion (Edwards, B. 1978a, 74; id. 1989b, 30). The loose strands and general irregularity suggest a late date.

Date

Uncertain but pre-Norman

References

Browne 1887a, 14; Taylor, H. 1900, 20; Taylor-Taswell 1905, 32; Taylor, H. 1906, 80; Ditchfield 1909, 116; Wallis 1921, 11; Edwards, B. 1978a, 74; Edwards, B. 1989b, 30–1, fig. 3 (G); Edwards, B. 1998, 86; Reeder 1999, 18, fig. 8; Noble 2004, 78, fig. 94c

Endnotes

[1]. The following are general references to the Whalley stones: Whitaker 1800–1, 31–2, 33, 37, 297; Whitaker 1818, 49–51, 250; Baines 1831–6, III, 178–9, 383; Baines 1868–70, II, 8; Whitaker 1872–6, I, 69, 71, II, 15, 157, 557, pl. facing 1; Croston 1884a, 4–5; Croston 1884b, 3; (–––) 1885b, 228; Allen and Browne 1885, 355; Browne 1885b, 156–7; Browne 1887a, 12–14; Jackson 1889, 34; Glynne 1893, 79; Harrison 1896, 4; Howarth 1899, 9; Farrer and Brownbill 1911c, 355; Fishwick and Ditchfield 1909, I, 5; Wallis 1921; Brown, G. 1937, 274; Tupling 1948, 6, 8; Edwards, B. 1975; Edwards, B. 1978a, 72–5; Fellows-Jensen 1985, 407; Edwards, B. 1992, 58; Panikkar 1994, 20; Crosby 1998, 30; Noble 2004, 75–81.

The following are unpublished manuscript references: BL Add. MS 37550, items 724–35; BL Add. MS 37551, items 76–9; Lancashire Record Office, DP 291/61–62 and 292/1; Lancashire Record Office DP 386/8.