70 Mr. Dickson on Rothbury and its Saxon Cross. 



On the eastern side are three well-carved figures. On the 

 north and south sides is Saxon knot-work. 



The shaft on one side has a figure with a crossed Nimbus, 

 and on the opposite side, a figure restoring sight to the blind. 

 On another side, the well-known Dano Saxon figure of the 

 Dragon or winged monster, while on the remaining side there 

 is a group of heads, probably the celestial choir. 



Dr. Charlton thinks this cross may have been made about 

 the tenth or eleventh century. Now, it is worth recording 

 here that the remnant of the shaft of this cross is still in 

 Rothbury church. 



The drawings now produced will shew how completely this 

 portion of the cross is identified with the other, when they 

 are compared with those in the plate accompanying Dr. 

 Charlton's account. 



The Stone Basin or Font upon which the shaft is placed is 

 modern ; the date 1664 is cut upon the basin. This is ex- 

 plained by the old vestry book ; for at a meeting of the ancient 

 church vestry, held April 1st, 1662 (Easter Tuesday) it is re- 

 corded that two of the Four-and- Twenty had gone over to the 

 Romish church, and that two others were appointed in their 

 stead. " The meeting was one of a strong Protestant cast. 

 The record states : "In regard that the late troublesome 

 times had occasioned the spoil and deprivement of those things 

 convenient and necessary for the celebration of God's public 

 worship in His Holy Church, in regard of authority enjoining 

 and the due consideration had thereupon, the Rector, together 

 with the Curate and Four-and-Twenty " ordered that a cess 

 of each man's ancient rent throughout the whole parish should 

 speedily be raised, collected, and levied by the new Church 

 Wardens for the present year for a Font, cover of a Font, and 

 several other things. 



The vestry were not very quick in their motions, for the 

 stone basin was not placed where it now stands till 1664, and 

 two years after, 1 find in the same book one guinea ordered to 

 be paid for the Font cover and steps. • 



This was two years after the restoration, when things began 

 to wear a more settled aspect. 



The record of the meeting of Easter Tuesday, 1662, finish- 

 ed with the words: — " Vivat Rex — Floreat Ecclesia." 



The Stone Basin has the date 1664 upon it, but it is the 

 stem or pillar of the cross, and not the basin, with which we 

 have to deal. The side having the Saxon Knot-work faces 

 eastwards and into the church, and the chief sculpture to the 

 west ; so that a pious votary, kneeling in adoration, would have 



