Welsh Journals

merges below into an interlace! comprising three conjoined vertical bands of six-cord triple-beaded plait (R.A. 507) (3) cruciform triple-beaded angular knot (R.A. 732). Right and Left Sides.-Top, two-cord double-beaded twist (R.A. 501) of five lobes conjoined below to a vertical band of four-cord double-beaded knotwork (R.A. 619, found fairly commonly in Anglian work). The lower portion of the decoration on the right side has been defaced. Back.-The decoration of the head is the same as in front. The shaft is filled with four conjoined vertical bands of triple-beaded knotwork and plaits, as follows (1) six-cord knotwork based on the Stafford knot (R.A. 601) (2) eight-cord knotwork (R.A. 658a) (3) and (4) regular eight-cord plaits. This gracefully-proportioned monument, like No. 2, is the product of mixed Northumbrian and Celtic influences. In this case the Northumbrian element shows further debasement, and now occupies a definitely subordinate position in the decoration. Additional evidence of comparative lateness is also provided by the wheel-head, which cannot be earlier than the ninth century, and is almost certainly of the tenth,2 and the free interlacement-rings included in the decoration of the head, which are usually regarded as characteristic of the Viking age.3 The monument may, therefore, be assigned to the first half of the tenth century. The cross stands to-day on the south-west side of the church, near the west end, apparently in its original position (Pemb. 6-in. O.S. Sheet XLI SE). There is a cast in the National Museum of Wales (Accession No. 01. 118). (See AC, 1864, p. 328; LW, p. 117; AC, 1896, p. 294; 1899, p. 36; CA, p. 193; RCAM, 848 (i); BBCS, VIII (1935-36), p. 181). 1 Kendrick notes the combination of vine-scroll and interlace in the same run as in origin a south English mannerism. He compares the present combined motif to that on one of the Sandbach crosses. ASA, p. 206, note 4. 2Cf. ERA, I, p. 134. 3 Cf. EEO, p. 229 Aj, LXXXIII (1926), p. 4 (A. W. Clapham). The criterion appears to hold good for Wales, but in general it may not be absolutely infallible. Thus, the free ring certainly occurs in the MSS. of the eighth century and earlier (cf. Zimmermann, V orkarolingische Miniaturen, Pis. 31a, 111), while one of the Lindisfarne stones on which the feature occurs is dated by Sir Charles Peers ante 875 (Arch. LXXTV (1923-24), p. 270).