Ruthwell Cross
The Cross of Ruthwell (English Ruthwell Cross ) is an Anglo-Saxon stone cross in the style of an Irish high cross . It may date from the 8th century, when Ruthwell, located in Dumfries and Galloway , was part of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria in Scotland through the conquests of the Christian king Eadberht (737-758) .
It may have been a prayer cross on a pilgrimage route, perhaps from the Solway Firth to Hoddom Monastery , but there is no port in the area. It is completely unclear who commissioned it and why it is here. Its original position is uncertain.
description
At 5.5 m, the Ruthwell Cross is the largest surviving Anglo-Saxon relief cross. It bears a Latin and a runic inscription . The runic inscription, which was probably added later (9th century?), Contains lines from the old English poem : The Dream of the Rood ( The Dream of the Cross ). This is possibly the oldest surviving text in Old English poetry, older than any manuscript. It is the only known runic inscription on a high cross.
history
The cross was during the English Civil War (English. English Civil War by) in the years 1642-1649 Presbyterian iconoclasts destroyed. The pieces were in the cemetery until 1818, where they were restored by philanthropist Henry Duncan (1774–1846). In 1887 the Ruthwell Cross was placed in Ruthwell Church and the apse was converted to it. The center of the cross, the horizontal arms and part of the shaft have not been preserved and have been replaced.
Representations
The Ruthwell Cross has bordered picture panels with Biblical scenes on the front and back, and decorative panels with grapevines on either side. The vines are particularly finely worked and are complemented by depictions of birds and animals.
The largest and central panel on the front depicts Christ standing on two animals, the Latin text on the edge reads: "Jesus Christ Judge of Justice". The plaque above shows John the Baptist holding a lamb . From the text survived the line: "We pray". The lower panels show Paul of Thebes and Antony with a loaf and the flight into Egypt . On the reverse, from top to bottom, are depicted: Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Christ, the healing of the blind man, the Annunciation by the angel and finally the crucifixion .
See also
literature
- Anna Ritchie, Graham Ritchie : Scotland. Archeology and Early History. Thames and Hudson Ltd., London 1981, ISBN 0-50002-100-7 , ( Ancient places and people ).
Web links
swell
- Beda Venerabilis : Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum , Online in the Medieval Sourcebook (English)
Coordinates: 55 ° 0 ′ 1.3 ″ N , 3 ° 24 ′ 27 ″ W.