Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/92

72 determined to be of the fifth or sixth century, and as there is a remarkable difference in several important respects between these and the Penally crosses, which clearly exhibit a Norman influence in their design and workmanship, there may be some reason for believing that the Nevern and Carew crosses are not more recent than the ninth or tenth century.

The purpose with which these early sculptured crosses were erected, has not been clearly ascertained; in some instances they may have been sepulchral memorials, but this does not appear to have been invariably their intention. The curious inscribed memorial found at Lancaster in 1807, bears a striking resemblance to the crosses noticed in South Wales. A representation of this monument, somewhat deficient in accuracy, has been given in the Archæologia, and it will suffice to refer our readers to the learned dissertation by Mr. Kemble which accompanies it. For the sake of comparison with the sculptured crosses of Wales, the annexed representations are presented to the readers of the Journal: they are taken from accurate sketches, and a cast from the Runic inscription, which have been communicated to the Institute by Mr. Michael Jones. This cross was found in 1807, in digging a grave in the churchyard of St. Mary's, Lancaster: the portion thus rescued from oblivion measures 3 feet in height, and the breadth of the cross when the arms were perfect, appears to have been 1 foot 9 inches. The inscription is in Runes, and in the Anglo-Saxon dialect; it was explained by Mr. Kemble as signifying, "Pray for Cynibald