254 General Discussion of the Crosses 



These proper names, combined with others supposed to be read 

 on other parts of the cross/ furnished materials for the hypothesis 

 that the cross was erected in memory of Alcfrith, son of Oswy, a 

 personage mentioned by Bede as belonging to the 7th century. ^ 



Unfortunately, the readings upon which these interpretations 

 repose will not bear the test of critical investigation, and we accordingly 

 find them largely rejected by Vietor, who has published the most 

 scholarly account of these readings.^ 



The combinations and conjectures of Maughan and Haigh are thus 

 seen, apart from their mutual contradictions, to fall to the ground, 

 except for such support as they may derive from two or three proper 

 names. Of a 7th century Hwsetred nothing is known ; one of ca. 701 

 was a nobleman of East AngUa,* and another, abbot of Reculver in 

 Kent, belongs to ca. 760. The name to which most importance has 

 been attached is undoubtedly Alcfrithu, and, as Vietor is strongly 

 inclined to believe that it may be read upon the cross, I will 

 examine it at some length. 



Alcfripu. 

 Alcfripu, or Alkjripu, seems reasonably clear (see p. 39). If cor- 

 rectly read, it cannot, however, be masculine, as commonly as- 

 sumed. Following ceft, it should be an accusative ; but the accusa- 

 tive of Alcjrip would be the same as the nominative, unless it were 

 Latinized, when it would be Alcfridum, not Alcfripu. It would be 

 much easier to understand it as feminine, especially if we assume 



1 Thus Maughan says (p. 27) with reference to certain runes that he found 

 on the south side: ' The four hues on this side of the Cross are evidently 

 connected with each other, and are to be read thus : — " fruman gear Ecgfrithu 

 kyninges rices thses," — in the first year {of the reign) of Egfrid, king of this 

 kingdom of N orthumhria , i. e., A. D. 670, in which year we may conclude that 

 this monument was erected.' Here Haigh read (Maughan, p. 37-8) : ' Oswu 

 Cyning elt Eanflad Cyniburug Ecgfrid Cyng; ' that is: 'Oswy king the 

 elder; Eanflsed ; Cyniburug; King Egfrid.' Vietor (pp. 15-16) can make 

 nothing of these traces of letters. Any one who is disposed tj verify the 

 above results might attempt it on the basis of the photographs of the 

 south face (see p. 27), reading what he can find on that border, be- 

 ginning from below ; thus above the lowest interlacing: -j-FRUMANGEAR 

 (Maughan), or OSWUCYNINGELT (Haigh), etc. These runes can be read 

 as well from the photographs as from the stone direct, I should say. 



2 Hist. Eccl. 3. 14, 21, 24, 25, 28; 5. 19; Hist. Abb. 2. 

 ^ Die North. Runensteine, p. 16. 



* Cf. Searle, Onomdsticon Aiiglo-Saxonicum, p. 309. 



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