Monument record MDO5166 - Saxon Cross Shaft, Todber - found 1879

During the restoration of 1879 three fragments of a carved cross shaft were found. Dating from the late tenth to early eleventh centuries. They were reassembled and erected on a modern base fifteen yards south of the church.

The Saxon Cross in Todber Churchyard. The 10th-century cross in the churchyard has been dismantled and is currently being conserved before erection inside the church.' {6} [ST 79982003] Todber churchyard 'crosses' Remains of late 10th century origin cross, situated 15 yards east of the south tower & 15 yards south of the south wall of the nave, are those of a preconquest cross the shaft of which is now reset with modern stones. The remains i.e., the original stones, were found in the fabric during demolition and rebuilding. On a modern stone, near the base on the west side of the shaft is the date MDCCCXLXXXIX - the date of the restoration of the church. The east face has one original stone reset near the base of the shafts decorated with scrolled leafwork. The north face has a stone similarly situated and decorated with another stone above, tapering and decorated. The west face, similarly decorated, with another stone above decorated with scrolled stripwork. (2) The cross in its present form is modern - with the date 1889 on the shaft, but is composed of two Saxon sculptured stones which were found in Todber churchyard some years since. [Illustration shows date as 1889 with a later 'X' inserted before the letter 'L']. (1) A modern Saxon type cross of composite stones in which is set two fragments of Saxon style stonework and beneath them the date incorrectly inscribed as indicated in authy 1. The lower Saxon fragment is 0.5m x 0.3m by 0.6m high. A fragment of the NE corner is missing. The stone above it is set into the SW corner only, It is 0.1m x 0.2m by 0.6m high. (3) (ST 79982003) Three fragments of a carved stone block of late 10th or early 11th century origin, discovered in 1879 during the rebuilding of Todber church, have been reassembled to form a rectangular shaft which has been set up in the churchyard with a modern base and finial. (4) ST 79982003. Churchyard cross (modern) as described. Sited on 1:2500AM. (5) The Cross has been dismantled prior to erection inside the church. (6) Full description of the cross fragments, which are late 10th-11th century in date. (7)

Record last edited

Feb 20 2023 2:37PM