We have been intending to go and see the Ruthwell Cross for some time
and today we eventually did. The Cross is inside the small kirk in the
village of Ruthwell at the end of a bumpy country lane.
From
the outside you would never imagine that this pretty but unremarkable
place is home to one of the most important examples of sculpture in the
country. But the Cross, which dates from the 7th century, is both the
best surviving example of Anglo Saxon monumental scupture
and the
earliest surviving text of Old English poetry. People travel thousands
of miles to visit the Cross, some to study it and take detailed notes,
others just to be amazed at its sheer antiquity. It's difficult to imagine that the Cross was already 400 years old at the time of the Norman Conquest.
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The 200 mile round-trip was definitely worth it.
Inside this tiny church stands the Cross, about 18 feet high and with
the most intricate carvings including scenes from the New Testament and the runes which set out part of
the Dream of the Rood, the earliest written English poem.
 |
| The north face of the Cross |
 |
| The south face |
The Cross was broken into several pieces in the 17th century, having been classified as an illegal 'idolatrous monument', and lay in the church yard until the early 19th century when Rev Henry Duncan put them back together as best he could.
 |
| The Latin inscriptions can be clearly seen |
 |
| Mary Magdalen at Christ's feet |
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| Vine scrolls and creatures carved on the west face of the Cross |
 |
| The Cross dominates the tiny church |
After
seeing the Cross we returned home, stopping off at Carlisle where we
strolled around the peaceful Cathedral area before calling into one of our
favourite bookshops.
A very memorable day out and different from a 'typical' bank holiday weekend.
From
the outside you would never imagine that this pretty but unremarkable
place is home to one of the most important examples of sculpture in the
country. But the Cross, which dates from the 7th century, is both the
best surviving example of Anglo Saxon monumental scupture and the
earliest surviving text of Old English poetry. People travel thousands
of miles to visit the Cross, some to study it and take detailed notes,
others just to be amazed at its sheer antiquity. It's difficult to imagine that the Cross was already 400 years old at the time of the Norman Conquest.
A very memorable day out and different from a 'typical' bank holiday weekend.
