Saxon Crosses II

Following on from Saxon Crosses I yesterday, as promised Saxon Crosses II.

So 1200years ago when these were created Ilkley was on the border of the Kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria, England hadn't yet been invented. Apparently hoards of Danish Raiders were common in these parts.

It is thought that these crosses would have been painted, and perhaps the eyes of the animals would have been inlaid with coloured glass beads or precious stones. When one remembers that our image soaked age is so far removed from that time, they must have had quiet an impact on those that saw them. Carvings enhanced by colour would have projected their stories, images and beliefs with great impact( unlike their current dull skulking in the back of a church).

The blip image today is an artists representation of what they might have looked like and hangs next to the crosses in the back of All Saints Church in Ilkley. It is this image that I've noticed in the past that endeered me to these old stone crosses and to discovering some of their story and significance this weekend.

Part III tomorrow

PS i have forgotten the name of the artist of this picture, I'll check tomorrow morning and attribute her name properly.