A HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND 
using a new symbol, which however would be understanded of the people 
whether heathen or Christian. ; 
With Dearham cross may be classed the fragments of a head at 
Gilcrux church. The boss is six-petalled, like one of the Carlisle 
cross-heads we have noted as Anglian, but the identity of pattern is of 
far less importance than the identity of treatment ; and here we see inter- 
lacing of a type unlike the Anglian, but like these works which we group 
together as late and Scandinavian (tenth and eleventh century and Irish- 
Norse). 
In Muncaster churchyard is another low broad cross with a new 
variety of the chain-pattern on its face and flatly treated braids on the 
back and edges. Under the main design at both front and back is a 
simple step-pattern ; compare the Aspatria hogback. A wheel-head lies 
now beside it, possibly its own ; but the socket recently added could not 
have fitted this cross, and shows that there were more than one such 
monument at Muncaster. 
The same variety of chain-pattern is seen on the edges of two crosses 
at Bromfield and Rockcliffe churchyards, both rudely hacked or picked 
sculptures, but remarkable in having broad raised bands running horizon- 
tally round the shafts. It has been suggested that this indicates an 
original imitation of basket-work in these interlaced crosses, but we 
can trace the development of their various styles from the Bewcastle 
cross and the development of that from an adaptation of sixth and seventh 
century Greek-Italian art to the standing-stones of the British Christians. 
It is still possible however that in the search for variety artists then as 
now introduced new ideas by imitating work properly intended for other 
materials, and that basket-work, as well as illuminated manuscripts, metal- 
work and wood-carving, was sometimes copied. Only this does not 
account for the origin of the interlaced crosses as some have supposed. 
The Bromfield red-sandstone cross has lost its head, but the Rock- 
cliffe cross is complete. It is unusual in this county, because though a 
wheel-cross it is not four-holed ; the spaces between the arms are merely 
counter-sunk, not pierced. On the bands are grotesque figures of ani- 
mals, which lead us to a new class of later monuments, those with beasts, 
birds, snakes and human figures, drawn clumsily and with none of the 
correctness and dignity of the fine early Anglian work, but resembling 
Irish art in MSS. and sculpture. 
LATER ZooMoRPHIC SCULPTURES 
The Dacre stone, a shaft preserved in the church, was a low broad 
cross, bearing at the top a figure almost identical with the animal turning 
its head over its back, supposed to be the lamb treading on the serpent, 
seen on the Fishing stone. There is a much weathered figure in the same 
attitude on one of the crosses of the Giant’s Grave at Penrith. The 
stag, seen at Penrith and with the dog or wolf on the Gosforth standing 
cross, is here seen with the dog or wolf on its back. At the bottom is 
272 
