22-508: The Gosforth Cross is a large stone monument in St Mary's churchyard at Gosforth in the English county of Cumbria , dating to the first half of the 10th century AD. Formerly part of the kingdom of Northumbria , the area was settled by Scandinavians some time in either the 9th or 10th century. It has gained reputation for its combination of Christian symbols with Nordic symbols, being
44-466: A slate roof. Its plan consists of a nave , a north aisle , a south porch, a chancel and north vestries . The 19th-century rebuilding is in Decorated style. At the west end is a corbelled -out bellcote . The gabled porch leads to the south door, to the right of which is a blocked Norman doorway, formerly on the north side of the church. There is a monument dated 1834 on the exterior of
66-419: A sundial base, though the "fishing stone" panel from this survives in the church. There are also two large " hogback " tombs in the church. Work began on Gosforth Hall, now a hotel and restaurant near St. Mary's Church, in 1658, by a local gentleman called Robert Copley. The date of completion is not clear, although the date on the coat of arms situated in the bar is 1673. Copley had previously refused to pay
88-429: A sundial . In the northeast corner of the churchyard is a hut or shed that has been constructed from left-over stones, including 13th-century grave-covers, pieces of stone carved with zigzags, and a corbel . The structure is listed at Grade II. Also in the churchyard are three tombstones bearing dates between 1711 and 1729, each of which has been listed at Grade II. Gosforth, Cumbria Gosforth
110-453: A 12th-century wall of the church during restoration in 1896–97. The early 11th century is the latest possible date. The hogbacks are each in the shape of a house. The larger tomb has on its sides humans astride smaller serpents battling with larger serpents. The smaller stone has two armies thought to be concluding a truce. In and around the niche and in the porch are other fragments of medieval stones. The small octagonal font dates from
132-614: A fragment of another cross, showing the god Thor fishing. The following images depict the 10th-century Gosforth Cross and related artefacts at St Mary's church. The images were published by Finnur Jónsson in Goðafræði Norðmanna og Íslendinga eftir Heimildum in 1913, and the identifications of the figures are those suggested by Jónsson in 1913. Other Images 54°25′10″N 3°25′54″W / 54.41934°N 3.43165°W / 54.41934; -3.43165 St Mary%27s Church, Gosforth St Mary's Church in
154-686: A tangible piece of evidence of the impact of the Christianization of Scandinavia . The Gosforth Cross has elaborate carvings which have been interpreted as representing characters and scenes from Norse mythology , similarly to how the Jelling stones in Denmark depict Jesus with other Norse mythological characters. Its design is modelled after the cross design that originated during the Christianization of Ireland. The Gosforth Cross
176-503: A way to parallel Norse mythology (i.e. Ragnarök , the death of Baldr ) with Christian beliefs (i.e. the Apocalypse , the crucifixion of Christ ). Among the parallels is Loki being bound is allegorical for Satan being bound, the death of Baldr accompanied by Hod and Nanna interchangeable with Christ's death as witnessed by Longinius and Mary Magdalene , and the battle Odin has with Surtr similar to how Christ ultimately conquers
198-594: Is a village, civil parish and electoral ward in the Lake District , in Cumberland , England. It is situated on the A595 road between Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness . It had a population of 1,230 at the 2001 Census. At the 2011 census Gosforth was grouped with Ponsonby and Wasdale giving a total population of 1,396. Adjacent settlements include Whitehaven, Egremont , Ravenglass and Wasdale . It
220-417: Is associated with "a unique Viking-age assemblage" of carved stones. This has been a Christian site since the 8th century. The oldest fabric in the present church dates from the 12th century. The church was reconstructed in 1789, but most of the fabric currently present is the result of a virtual rebuilding by C. J. Ferguson between 1896 and 1899. St Mary's is constructed in stone with
242-525: Is close to Wast Water , the deepest lake in England, and just a 7-minute drive from Seascale village and beach. The Cumbrian Coast railway can be accessed at Seascale. Gosforth contains a unique collection of Norse artefacts in and around St. Mary's Church . This includes the Gosforth cross , which is the tallest and oldest Viking cross in England. Another high cross was cut down in 1789 to make
SECTION 10
#1732765011820264-512: The Devil . Another is how the base of the cross has a tree-like design, looking like bark. This is a possible parallel between Yggsdrasil and the Tree of Life ; both featured heavily in their respective mythologies. The cross also has Christian symbolism, including a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ . The combination of Christian and Norse pagan symbolism on the cross may be evidence of
286-664: The 19th century. Also in the church is a Chinese bell dating from 1839, which was captured from the Anunghoy Fort in the Battle of the Bogue (1841) on the Canton River . It was donated to the church in 1844. One of the stone slabs outside the church is the so-called Gosforth fishing stone , which is believed to be the same artist who carved the cross. It represents Thor and the giant Hymir fishing for Jörmungandr ,
308-770: The carvers were heavily influenced by Anglo-Saxon stone carving. The importance of the Gosforth Cross (as well as the Irton Cross ) caused the Victoria and Albert Museum to have replicas made in 1882, which are on display in the Cast Hall at the museum. In 1887, the Rev. William Slater Calverley commissioned a replica life-sized copy of this cross and erected it in the churchyard at Aspatria , Cumbria . The church also has important hogback tombs, and what appears to be
330-513: The churchyard is the Gosforth Cross , a Viking stone cross dating from the early part of the 10th century. It is a sandstone structure standing 4.42 metres (14.5 ft) high, and is elaborately carved with human figures and beasts, mainly depicting scenes from Scandinavian mythology. This is the tallest Viking cross in the country. It is designated as a scheduled monument . Another cross of similar age has been cut down to form
352-403: The north wall of the chancel. Inside the church is a four- bay north arcade , consisting of pointed arches carried on columns with octagonal capitals . The 14th-century chancel arch is set on richly carved Norman capitals. In a niche at the east end of the aisle are two carved Viking hogback stones . These are very rare pre-Norman tomb markers that were found under the foundations of
374-476: The present owners of Gosforth Hall commissioned a small archaeological excavation within the grounds. This turned up some interesting finds indicating previous occupation on the site. This preliminary work was followed up in 2008 with an archaeological desk-based assessment and field evaluation. Gosforth is the base for two major athletic events each year, a 10-mile (16 km) run and associated fun run in June, and
396-441: The royal herald for his own coat of arms and instead, made one up himself. In his history of The Gosforth District , Dr. C.A. Parker states that Robert Copley in 1658 built "a large handsome house with orchards and gardens suitable", and Parker states that henceforth the house was named Gosforth Hall. With the hall being within the precinct of the church, it was likely that evidence of earlier occupation might be discovered. In 2005,
418-405: The serpent which encircles the world, below a scene of a hart struggling with a serpent. It is possibly a remnant of another cross. The stained glass, most of which is by Ward and Hughes , dates mainly from the late 19th century. The two- manual pipe organ was made by Conacher and Company of Huddersfield , and rebuilt and expanded in 1984 by Sixsmith. The most important feature in
440-447: The use of pagan stories to illustrate Christian teachings. Christ here is depicted as a deity of power, hence why he is absent on the cross on the tip. He was popularly interpreted as a deity of power amongst Viking culture. The cross is 4.4 metres (14 ft) tall and made out of red sandstone . It is estimated to date from 920 to 950 and is still in fairly good condition. Its design shows a strong Anglo-Saxon influence and suggests that
462-483: The village of Gosforth , Cumbria , England, is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Calder, the archdeaconry of West Cumberland, and the diocese of Carlisle . Its benefice is united with those of St Olaf, Wasdale Head , and St Michael, Nether Wasdale. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building . It
SECTION 20
#1732765011820484-534: Was first identified in 1886 by the amateur antiquarian Charles Arundel Parker in his book The Ancient Crosses at Gosford and Cumberland . He demonstrated that the cross showed scenes described in the Poetic Edda . Those include images identified as: It is currently debated amongst scholars whether the sources were added to the Cross out of reverence for Viking beliefs and still clinging to their own identity or as
#819180