Monument record 1997/1/2 - Cross Shaft in St Mary's Church

In 1982, a trench was dug around the exterior of the foundations of St Mary's Church. It was observed by Brown and Gallagher after partial back- filling. They recovered part of an Anglo-Viking cross shaft 0.40m wide and 0.30m high, and decorated on all four faces. Work is crude and abraded. One face shows parts of three figures, perhaps representing the arrest of Christ, the other has part of a figure and the head of an animal. One edge shows the Staffordshire Knot decoration and the other has the inscription GOD HELPE. The placing of the inscription and use of Roman lettering is exceptional. Discussion of parallels (1).

<1> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Brown M M & Gallagher D B 1983 66/23-30 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<2> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/291 Thacker A 1987 (Book). SCH3556.