Monument record 2/1/2 - Neston Crosses, Church of St Mary and St Helen

<1> White R, 1985, The Neston Cross Slabs (Book). SCH3217.

In the Church of St Mary and St Helen are parts of 5 late Saxon crosses (4 shafts and 1 head). They are decorated and include a figure of a priest, 2 figures fighting with daggers and 2 quadrupeds as well as typical decorative motifs. One is a lintel in the belfry. Within and around the church are 4 medieval grave covers and a headstone. Complete one of priest with a foliate relief cross and the settings of circular brass letters.

<2> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, Vol 1, p.277 Thacker A 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<3> White R, 1985, The Neston Cross Slabs (Unpublished Document). SCH9369.

Site survey in 1985 to examine the five cross slabs with circle heads.
Slab A, shaft of cross located in the porch, bears the figure of a priest with a chalice in his right hand and maniple with tassles tied on the left wrist. On the reverse there is a two-strand interlace pattern. There are narrow panels of both interlace/key pattern.
Slab B, shaft of cross located in the porch, bears two figures fighting with daggers. There is the beginning of a key pattern around head above. The reverse face features a winged angel positioned horizontally. There is a portion of cable moulded ring head above. Narrow panels are decorated as for Slab A.
Slab C, shaft of cross located in porch, features a plain base with a thick, tightly woven, one-strand interlace. On the reverse face there is a thick, loose weave, one-strand interlace. Narrow panel as Slab A.
Slab D, head of cross located in porch. Both faces feature arm of cross with triquetra knot. Narrow panel as Slab A.
Slab E, shaft of cross located in belfrey. Features two mounted figures jousting. The reverse face is decorated with two quadrupeds, one chasing the other with the second animal looking back.
Also, a headstone, used as a lintel for the Belfrey window, bears a single incised cross, potentially of ninth century date.
Four medieval grave covers were also observed during this visit of possible thirteenth to fifteenth century date.

<4> 1988?, Fragments of Crosses from the Viking Period (Unpublished Document). SCH9370.

Four of the carved sandstone fragments were uncovered in the foundations of the church when it was rebuilt in 1874. The fifth stone had been used to form the lintel of a window in the bell tower. The style of carving on these fragments shows similarities with sculpture of the Viking period, with decoration of scenes from the lives of the deceased rather than purely religious scenes; it is thought likely that the stones were carved between 930 AD to 1020 AD.

The fragment used as a lintel in the church tower has, on one face, a depiction of the lower halves of two figures - a man in a tunic and a woman in long-sleeved, pleated dress with a pigtail. Below them is a hunting scene showing a stag held at bay by a dog whilst a huntsman transfixes it with a spear. On the other face, are two horsemen with spears, an unusual scene for the times, potentially indicating the use of cavalry. Above the joust is another huntiing scene with a dog and long-necked animal (?deer). One of the other carved fragments may have formed the top of the shaft of the 'lintel' cross fragment - with one face decorated with an angel flying horizontally over the heads of the commemorated couple, with on the reverse, two men fighting with daggers. Another fragement depicts a priest wearing vestments (alb and chasuble), holding a chalice and, tied to his left wrist, a tassled maniple, with an interlace pattern on the reverse face.

The Domesday Survey of Neston recorded that in 1086 there was a priest here and, although this alone is not evidence that there was a church here at that date, the presence of the crosses here could be significant. The dedication of the church to St Mary and St Helen may also reflect Viking influence, as St Helen was a popular saint in Ireland.

<5> R.White, 1985, Norse Period Crosses at Neston (Article in Newsletter). SCH9371.

Assessment of the pre-Norman carved crosses at Church of St Mary and St Helen, Neston, in advance of their re-display in the church. The group belongs to a variety of crossed known as 'Ring-Headed' crosses where the head is composed of flush ring and arms with projecting lugs beyond the ring. The spandrels are hollowed out. The Neston group belongs with the Chester St John's School. The importance of the group is twofold. It shows the presence of a Viking community in the area assimilating with the local population and potentially related to the settlement of Ingamund in 902. Secondly, it provides a rare insight into every day tenth century life with depictions of scenes from secular life, in contrast to the Anglo Saxon tradition of purely figural sculpture.