236 



Description of the Crosses 



The following table of dimensions is taken from Allen ^ 



Height of base 



Height of shaft 



Height of head 



Total height of cross 



Width of base 



Width of shaft at bottom 



Width of shaft at top 



Width across arms of cross 



Width of top arm 



Thickness of base 



Thickness of shaft at bottom 



Thickness" of shaft at top 



These figures are only approximative, 

 it cannot be definitely determined where the base passes into the 

 shaft. The width across the arms of the cross is of no value, since 

 these arms are modern. 



11. THE BEWCASTLE CROSS 



The Bewcastle Cross has not been so frequently and accurately 

 described as that at Ruthwell. The following account reposes upon 

 personal examination and photographs specially made for the pur- 

 pose.2 



West Face}^ 



This face has three carved figures, the spaces between them being 

 occupied by runes. 



1. John the Baptist with the Agnus Dei. 



The upper figure, supposed that of John the Baptist, closely 

 resembles the figure on the Ruthwell Cross. The man, wearing 

 beard and moustache, clothed in tunic and mantle, supports a 

 lamb on his left arm, which is concealed by the draped mantle. 

 His right arm, over which an end of the cloak falls, is indistinct. 

 The man appears to hold the lamb by its forelegs ; the hind legs 

 seem doubled beneath it. The animal wears a nimbus, and is 

 facing the man's right. The essential difference between this and 



1 Early Christ. Mon. of Scotland 3. 442. 



2 By Messrs. J. P. Gibson, of Hexham, and F. W. Tassell, of Carlisle. 

 8 See Figs. 2, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. 



(24) 



