A Latin cross carved in relief on the E face of a cross-shaft in the churchyard of the Church of SS Mael and Sulien, Corwen, Denbighshire, Wales, UK.
Detail of a Latin cross carved in relief on the E face of a cross-shaft in the churchyard of the Church of SS Mael and Sulien, Corwen, Denbighshire, Wales, UK. The cross is 26cm () high with a vertical incised line down the shaft & a horizontal one across the arms. The stem terminates in a point like a portable wooden staff rood designed to be stuck in the ground to create a temporary preaching place. The dagger-like form of the cross has linked it with the legend of Owain Glyndwr (1359-1416) hurling a dagger, spear or sword to the church from a nearby conical hill. A square sectioned, tapering cross-shaft of granite high, with chamfered angle mouldings defined by deeply incised lines. The cross-head is missing. It shows similarities with Anglo-Saxon crosses from the Kingdom of Mercia, but suggested dates range from the C9th through to the C12th. As the churchyard cross has been moved (it is currently close to the SW corner of the church) & went through several phases of use & remodelling, this carving may be a later addition or recut. St Mael & St Sulien were Breton missionaries who came to Corwen in the C6th.
Size: 2773px × 4922px
Location: Church of Saints Mael and Sulien, Corwen, Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales, UK
Photo credit: © Mick Sharp / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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