Wolverhampton Pillar facts for kids
The Wolverhampton Pillar is a very old stone pillar found in Wolverhampton, England. It's actually the main part, or "shaft," of what was once a tall Anglo-Saxon cross. This amazing piece of history still stands in the same spot where it was first placed, right in the churchyard of St Peter's Collegiate Church.
This pillar is so important that it's protected as a scheduled ancient monument. This means it's a special historical site that needs to be preserved. Experts believe it was made around the year 996 AD. This was when a special school or religious community, called a college, was started at this very location.
What Makes the Wolverhampton Pillar Special?
The Wolverhampton Pillar is famous for its unique carvings. These designs are very rare and have held up well over hundreds of years, even with all the weather changes.
Amazing Carvings and Designs
The pillar has seven different sections, or "bands," of carvings. Each band shows different patterns and pictures:
- Vine scrolls: These look like twisting plant vines.
- Animals: You can spot various animals carved into the stone.
- Acanthus: This is a type of plant design often used in old art.
- Lattice-work: These are patterns that look like criss-crossing lines.
A Unique Piece of Art History
A famous expert named T. D. Kendrick studied the pillar's decorations. In 1938, he said the carvings were truly one-of-a-kind. He believed it was the only example in England that showed a special art style called "southern continental Baroque." This style usually has lots of fancy details.
Later, in 1949, Kendrick also thought the pillar showed a "taste for a crowded display of finicky decoration." This means the artists loved to fill every space with tiny, detailed patterns. He noted that a similar style can be seen in another old cross, the Stapleford Cross.
