Monument record 1109/0/2 - Saxon cross fragments in St Mary's Churchyard

Three fragments from the shaft of at least one Saxon cross of similar size and date to those in the Market Place, all much worn but with figure sculpture and angle cable moulding still discernible. Also two pre- Viking fragments of tomb slabs with figure and animal carving. All formerly built into the cross base in the Market Place, but removed to the churchyard in 1956 (1).
The monument includes 5 fragments of Anglo-saxon sculpture set on a concrete plinth in the churchyard of St Mary's Church. These pieces were once set up in the market place as bollards surrounding the larger Anglo-Saxon cross shafts. The pieces are numbered three to seven, assuming the other two to be in the market square. Numbers three to five are large fragments of cross shafts and six and seven are tomb covers. The sculptural fragments are set onto a concrete slab 2.75m long and 1m wide situated immediately to the south of the belfry tower at the west end of the church. Number three cross fragment has a gritstone shaft decorated with a panel with a figure within and with roll moulding at each corner. This piece measures 1m high and 0.34m x 0.28m wide. Number 4 is also a piece of a cross shaft 1.2 m high and 0.35m x 0.28m wide with a panel and figure carved on the west side. This also has roll mouldings at each corner. Number 5 is another shaft fragment 0.9m high and 0.33 x 0.34m wide. Detail of the carving is not recognisable. The two grave covers are in front of the assemblage and are a similar type to Mercian sculpture at Wirksworth in Derbyshire. Both have a shallow pitched roof shape top and are set on end. Number 6 is 0.9m long and 0.5m wide and 0.18m high at the apex of the roof. There are traces of arcaded panels on either side of this roof shape with decoration within each arcade. Number 7 is similar in shape 0.8m lonng and 0.4m wide. It appears to have a haloed figure in a panel on the right side with the left side broken away where the slab has been reused. These fragments are an important surviving testimony to a major church foundation at Sandbach during the 8th or 9th century. The survival of Mercian tomb covers are also important since such covers are rare. These pieces represent the product of a school of ecclesiastical sculpture either at this site or more centrally in a monastic workshop in the kingdom of Mercia further to the south (3).

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

<2> Radford C A R, 1956, The Sandbach Crosses (Book). SCH3239.

<3> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), English Heritage 1999 SAM 30396 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<3> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), English Heritage 1999 SAM 30396 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.