Stapleford Cross facts for kids
The Stapleford Cross is an ancient stone cross from Anglo-Saxon times. It is about 1000 years old. You can find it in the churchyard of St. Helen's Church in Nottinghamshire, England.
This cross is a very important historical monument. It is protected as a Grade I listed site and a scheduled ancient monument.
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Why the Stapleford Cross is Special
Experts say the Stapleford Cross is extremely important. One famous expert, Pevsner, called it "by far the most important" monument from before the Norman Conquest in Nottinghamshire.
According to Historic England, the cross is a fantastic example of its kind. Its carvings are still in great shape. It even has an unusual carving of a figure, along with the more common patterns.
What the Stapleford Cross Looks Like
Shape and Size
Today, the cross is a tall stone pillar. It stands about 2.5 meters (8 feet) high. It gets narrower as it goes up. At the bottom, it's about 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) wide. At the top, it's about 0.25 meters (0.8 feet) wide.
The bottom part of the cross has rounded edges. The top part is more square. This shape makes it part of a special group of crosses from the ancient kingdom of Mercia.
Amazing Carvings
The stone pillar is covered in detailed carvings. These carvings are divided into four sections. They show different kinds of interlace patterns. Interlace means lines or ribbons that weave over and under each other.
In the third section, there's a unique carving of a winged figure. This figure holds a spear. People think it might be an archangel or Luke the Evangelist.
These detailed interlace patterns are typical of Mercian art. They look similar to carvings on other ancient objects, like the Wolverhampton Pillar. Some experts also see connections to the Bewcastle Cross and even art from the Byzantine Empire.
How it Stands Today
The cross now sits on a base that was added in the 1800s. The original top part of the cross was lost in the 1700s. Today, it has a stone cap and a modern ball on top instead.
When and Where the Cross Came From
Dating the Ancient Cross
It's not completely clear exactly when the Stapleford Cross was made. Some records from Historic England say it's from the 11th century. However, other records suggest crosses like this could be from the 8th, 9th, or 10th centuries.
An expert named Rev. A.D. Hill thought it was made between 680 and 780 AD. He based this on the style of the carvings. This older date is also shown on an information sign at the cross itself. Another expert, Pevsner, thought it might be as late as 1050 AD.
Its First Home
No one knows exactly where the cross first stood. But it was probably somewhere very close to its current location.
The Cross Through History
We first find records of the Stapleford Cross in the 1700s. Before 1760, the cross was lying on its side in the churchyard. Around that time, its original top was removed. If it still had its top, the cross would have been about 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) tall!
In 1760, the cross was put back upright. It stood at a street corner near the churchyard. In 1820, it got a new base and the stone cap and ball you see in old pictures. In 1916, a storm damaged the top ball.
Then, in 1928, the cross was moved again. It went from the street to the churchyard, where it is now. Finally, in 2000, a new stone ball replaced the one damaged in 1916.
Did You Know?
The name 'Stapleford' might even come from this cross! The name could mean a crossing point near a post or pillar.
