Cross of Gosforth
The Cross of Gosforth (English Gosforth cross ) is an Anglo-Saxon stone cross in the form of an Irish high cross in Gosforth in Cumbria in England . It is 4.4 meters high and made of red sandstone . The cross was probably erected around 920/950 and is one of the highest known works of art from before the Norman conquest of England. It was first described in 1886 and still stands in the churchyard of St Mary's Church in Gosforth today. A true copy is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London .
presentation
In addition to a Christian representation (crucifixion), various scenes from Norse mythology are depicted on the cross. The lowest figures presumably represent the tied Loki and his wife Sigyn , who protects him from the dripping poison that the gods send him as revenge for Balder's death. Another figure may show Odin fighting a monster at the end of the world.
literature
- Richard N. Bailey: Scandinavian Myth on Viking-period Stone Sculpture in England. In: Geraldine Barnes, Margaret Clunies Ross (Eds.): Old Norse Myths, Literature, and Society. Porcedings of the 11th International Saga Conference. University of Sydney, Sydney 2002, ISBN 1-86487-316-7 , pp. 15-23 ( PDF; 52.4 kB ).
- David M. Wilson : Gosforth. In: Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (RGA). 2nd Edition. Volume 12, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 1998, ISBN 3-11-016227-X , pp. 399-401. ( Fee Germanic Altertumskunde Online at de Gruyter ).
Web links
- Gosforth Cross ( Memento from December 27, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- "Four sides of the Gosforth Cross"
See also
Remarks
- ↑ Arundel P Charles: The Ancient crosses at Gosforth and Cumberland. Elliot Stock, 1896.
Coordinates: 54 ° 25 '9.6 " N , 3 ° 25' 53.9" W.