Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 6.djvu/547

 iis.vi.DKo.7,i9i2.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

451

CONSECRATION CROSSES OX THE OUTSIDE WALLS OF CHURCHES.

(11 S. vi. 390.)

As early as the eighth century the Egbert Pontifical directed the bishop to make crosses with his thumb dipped in chrism on the walls of a church at its dedication. At a later period the rubrics are more definite, and Pontificals of the thirteenth century order that twelve crosses are to be painted both on the inside and outside walls, for anointing by the bishop. By the four- teenth or early fifteenth century it appears to have been customary to affix a metal branch above or below the cross, for a candle, which was lighted for the dedication service. The twenty-four crosses and candles remained in use in England until the six- teenth century. It is interesting to observe that the use of external crosses seems to have been confined to this country. Abroad, only the twelve internal crosses were used, to which custom modern Roman ceremonial conforms.

These crosses, both internal and external, might be painted or carved, or of metal inlay. The following are perhaps the most perfect sets of carved crosses remaining in England :

Salisbury Cathedral. Eight crosses remain on the outside of the choir and transepts, and the same number inside ; stumps of metal pins show that the indents were originally filled with metal crosses. One of the exterior crosses is not incised, but of stone surrounded by carved foliage. About 3 in. below each cross there is a hole which held a sconce. (See Archceologia, xlviii. 458.)

Ufflngton, Berkshire. Eleven of the external ci'osses remain ; they were originally of metal inlay set in sunk circular panels. Traces of the pins which secured them exist. Nothing is to be seen of the internal crosses. (See EcclesioJogisI, xii. 154.)

Edington, Wiltshire. Ten external and eleven internal crosses remain ; it appears, however, that two of the latter have been tampered with within recent years. Remains of metal pins show that the indents were originally filled with metal crosses.

It should be said that in each case the crosses are from 7 ft. to 74 ft. from the ground. -

At Ottery St. Mary, Devon, there is an interesting series of unique consecration crosses. Thirteen remain on the outside, and six on the inside. In this case plain carved stone crosses are borne bv half-

length figures of angels, placed within quatrefoiled circles. Traces of iron stumps below the "figures show the position of the sconces.

Sets of crosses as complete as those men- tioned above are rarely found. Generally only two or three isolated examples have escaped the vicissitudes of time.

I was at All Saints', Norwich, this year, but stupidly overlooked the crosses men- tioned by MR. HIBGAME. Is he quite sure that they are consecration crosses ? From the brief description given it is impossible to form an opinion. For further informa- tion I may refer him to an interesting, illus- trated paper by the Rev. E. S. Dewick, entitled ' Consecration Crosses and the Ritual connected with Them : (Archaeo- logical Journal, Ixv. 1). Mention may also be made of a paper on consecration crosses by the late Dr. Middleton (Archceologia, xlviii. 456), and two papers by Mr. T. D. Atkinson ( Proceedings Cambridge Anti- quarian Society, vols. xi. and xv. ).

(Rev.) G. MONTAGU BENTON.

Saffron Walden, Essex.

At Uffington Church, Berkshire, a thir- teenth-century building, are eleven circular medallions on the exterior, which no doubt formerly contained consecration crosses, but whether these were sculptured, of metal, or painted cannot now be stated. Their positions are : three below the east window, tliree at the west end of the nave, one on the north and one on the south side of the nave, one on each of the end walls of the transepts, and one on the south wall of the chancel. A sacristy which once stood on the north side of the chancel has disappeared. Probably the twelfth cross was on the north or end wall of the destroyed building. F. H. C.

There are external consecration crosses at Salisbury Cathedral ; Uffington, Berks ; Edington, Wilts ; also crosses of the same type at Stoke Prior, Worcestershire ; Kil- dale, Yorkshire ; Foscott, Bucks ; and Brent Pelham, Herts. MB. HIBGAME should con- sult papers by Mr. Middleton in Archceologia (1885), xlviii. 456-64, and by the Rev. E. S. Dewick in The Archceological Journal (1908), Ixv. 1-34. A. W. ANDERSON.

The consecration crosses on the outside of Salisbury Cathedral are numerous and fine.

J. T. F.

[MR. WM. XOKMAX and A. B. B. W. also thanked for replies.]