Rey Cross facts for kids
Rey Cross is what's left of an old stone cross located in a place called Stainmore. People also know it as Rere Cross or Rear Cross. It's a very important historical site, recognized as a Grade II* listed structure and a scheduled monument. This means it's protected because of its special history.
What Was Rey Cross For?
Many people believe Rey Cross was once about ten feet tall! A long-standing local story says it was the burial spot of Eric Bloodaxe. He was a famous Viking ruler of Northumbria a long time ago.
However, some historians, like Norman Davies, think it was actually a "boundary stone." This means it marked a border or a halfway point. He suggested it was placed halfway between Penrith and Barnard Castle.
Old writings also support the idea of Rey Cross being a border marker. For example, in a book called "The Lives of the Saints, St. Margaret of Scotland," it mentions a peace agreement. This agreement stated that the border between two kingdoms should be "Kings Cross on Stanemoor." This cross was supposed to have the symbols of the kings of England and Scotland on it. Another old book, "Buik of the Chronicles of Scotland, Border Exploits," also says that a stone cross on Stanemoor, with the symbols of both kingdoms, would mark the exact border between England and Scotland.
What Happened to Rey Cross Recently?
In the late 1980s, there were plans to make the A66 road wider through Stainmore. This road widening project affected Rey Cross.
In 1990, the cross was carefully lifted from where it stood. It was located south of the road, inside an old Roman camp called Rey Cross Roman Marching Camp. Workers then dug up the ground underneath the cross. They were looking for bones, especially if the legend about Eric Bloodaxe was true. However, no bones were found at that spot. It's still possible Eric's burial place might be somewhere else on the Stainmore moors.
While the road work was happening, Rey Cross was moved to the Bowes Museum to keep it safe. After the road work finished in 1992, the monument was put back in a new spot. Its current location is easy to reach from a special parking area next to the road.
