Monument record 1160/16/4 - Possible Saxon churchyard cross

Two Saxon sculptured stones found in 1850 during rebuilding of the chancel of St Peter's Church.

{1}Shaft of Saxon cross with elaborate interlaced decoration;

{2}In south aisle recess 2 Anglo-Saxon fragments with interlace decoration which were re-used as Norman bases; carving dated to C9th;

{3}2 large carved stones of late Saxon date were reused in C12th church; discovered during restoration work in 1850; may have belonged to important late Saxon church;

{4}No additional details;

{5}Stones now kept in coffin niche in south aisle of church; whether they once formed part of cross not clear;

{6}(SP 7499 6037) Rebuilding of the chancel of St Peter's church in 1850 revealed two Saxon sculptured stones forming part of the bases of the two west responds. The stones were removed and are now in the Northampton Museum.

{7}Early Decorated coffin recess now holds part of Anglo-Saxon cross shaft found during Gilbert Scott's restoration of 1851/2;

{8} The stones are now kept in a coffin niche in the south aisle of the church. Whether they once formed part of a cross is not clear.

<1> Northampton & County Junior Chamber of Commerce, Northampton: A Short Guide, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN628.

<2> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.322; (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.371 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<4> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M193 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP76SW20 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Romilly Allen, 1888, Associated Architectural Societies Reports, p.415+Illustration (unchecked) (Series). SNN3337.

<7> MARSH B.R. V, 1966, The Parish Church of Saint Peter, Northampton, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN2704.

<8> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 26-MAR-1969 (Notes). SNN111907.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2022 11:21AM