A HISTORY OF DURHAM 



of which is filled with a ' triquetra.' These are connected together so that 

 the whole forms a large and symmetrical circular interlacement. The north 

 side has at the foot a band of fine plait-work crossing it ; above this, in a 

 panel almost square, is a curiously drawn centaur. The right arm grasps a 

 spear, while the left is turned back along the body and grasps the tail. This, 

 above the point where it is held by the hand, is formed into a knot of seven 

 loops. In the longer panel above are two monsters with their heads upwards, 

 having in the mouths of each two balls, while between the heads are two 

 rings. The necks are in each case divided into two, thus forming four bands 

 which interlace over the whole panels in a much more regular manner than 

 similar bands on the opposite side. In the remaining upper arm of the cross 

 is a piece of simple knot-work. The two side arms were cut off to adapt the 

 ' stone for use as a lintel. The side facing west has a monster with its head 

 downwards and its body rising in undulations to the top, returning to the 

 bottom again and forming a knot in the spaces left by the undulations. 



The other cross-shaft is clearly very much reduced from its original 

 height, as the upper part is wanting. The remaining portion is 4 feet 

 9 inches in length. It is worthy of notice that the sides have hardly any 

 taper as they rise. On the side now facing east are four panels : the lower 

 contains a Crucifixion, the cross of which has rectangular arms and head. 

 The body of our Lord is represented standing on the ground with the face 

 turned to the left. Beneath are the two soldiers, the one to His right 

 holding a spear, the other an annular object on a long shaft, representing 

 the sponge or cup. In the spaces above the arms of the cross the sun and 

 moon are shown. The panel above is a transverse band, containing knot-work ; 

 over it is a larger panel with three nimbed figures all alike, their feet turned 

 sideways to the right and the hands clasped on the breast. They wear long 

 tunics which descend almost to the ankles, with girdles somewhat below the 

 waist. The remaining portion of the upper panel has the tails of two 

 monsters, which curling outwards are reduced to bands which entangle the 

 bodies. On the opposite side, now facing west, are four divisions, the lowest 

 a transverse band of knot-work, above which are three equal panels, the first 

 containing three figures all alike with feet pointing outwards. They wear 

 girdled tunics, and the hands are bound with cords. What is apparently a 

 nimbus may be a cord binding the heads, as it is a continuous band passing 

 from one to the other. The panel contains above this two figures only, 

 similarly vested and bound. The cord (?) passing over the heads is looped 

 into three loops between the heads and beyond them. In the uppermost 

 panel are two figures, their heads unfortunately much shattered. Each one 

 holds in his hand a weapon in an inclined position with the point to the 

 right. One weapon looks like a mace and another a spear. They are 

 habited very differently from the other figures, the skirts of their tunics 

 having loose folds and scallops. No doubt the whole six panels have a 

 symbolical meaning, and the two figures holding weapons may be meant 

 to represent soldiers guarding the five bound figures below them. 1 



The two sides are very differently treated : that now facing south has 

 three divisions, the lowest containing two four-legged creatures with long 



1 The Rev. W. S. Calverley attempts to show that the sculptures on some of the crosses represent subjects 

 described in the heathen sagas. Arch. Journ. xl. 143 ; P. C. H. Cumb. i. 266. 



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