Featured: Explore Scotland (and everywhere else) with our Megalithic Portal iPhone app

Explore Scotland (and everywhere else) with our Megalithic Portal iPhone app

Random Image


Khirbat Za'aq

See Your Book Here

See Your Book Here

Who's Online

There are currently, 393 guests and 1 members online.

You are a guest. To join in, please register for free by clicking here

Sponsors

<< Our Photo Pages >> Middleton Crosses - Ancient Cross in England in Yorkshire (North)

Submitted by Kelpie on Friday, 05 November 2004  Page Views: 19291

Early Medieval (Dark Age)Site Name: Middleton Crosses Alternative Name: Middleton Church, St Andrew (Middleton)
Country: England
NOTE: This site is 2.823 km away from the location you searched for.

County: Yorkshire (North) Type: Ancient Cross
Nearest Town: Middleton
Map Ref: SE782854
Latitude: 54.258304N  Longitude: 0.801074W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
no data Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
no data Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
no data Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
3
Be the first person to rate this site - see the 'Contribute!' box in the right hand menu.

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

Anne T visited on 10th Oct 2014 - their rating: Cond: 3 Access: 5 Middleton Crosses, St. Andrew’s Church, Church Lane, Middleton, North Yorkshire: From St. Gregory’s Minster, the A170 took us right through Middleton, and it was easy to spot the church on the left hand side of the road. I’d tried to phone beforehand to check if the church was open during the day, but the number published on the ‘achurchnearyou’ website was for a private house; I sent an email to Reverend Stephen Gamble but didn’t receive a reply until we were actually inside the church, saying the church is usually left open during the day. Turning into Church Lane, it is long and narrow. There was just room to bump the car up onto the kerb opposite a gateway to a farm. At first glance, this church looks modern and not particularly interesting, but the more we looked, the more ancient and interesting the building became. Apart from the crosses (crosses A and B kept against the base of the tower on the west wall, C, D and E kept in the north transept). It’s a shame that the area that C, D and E are kept in is used for general storage (we had to clamber over stacked chairs and other items) as it did spoil the ambience a little. Crosses A and B had clearly been whitewashed at some point in their lives, which made them look somewhat ‘unreal’. The south entrance door has a wonderful 13th century trefoil and the door itself is from the 15th century (much repaired internally). The north aisle and tower date from the 12th and 13th centuries, although the base of the tower is Saxon. In the west wall, there is a blocked up doorway from the 11th century with an 8th century cross head and part of a shaft above it (we didn’t find the one in the south wall of the nave, as described on the visitor boards inside the church). There is a sundial above the entrance to the porch, and an interesting ‘vow cross’, similar to the one at Escomb on a pillar in the north aisle. Notes from the hand-held boards in the church: The Crosses: The crosses and fragments in the North Aisle have been dated to the 10th century, perhaps related to the Viking kingdom of York c 876 to 954 AD. Cross A and Cross B are described as Jellinge crosses, after the cross of a similar type at Jellinge in Denmark. The stone types are all of a kind found on the North Yorkshire moors. Cross A:A ring-head cross, typical of the area, depicts a hunter with spear, sword, shield and scramasax (a short sword), two dogs and a stag. On the reverse is a ‘Jellinge’ animal. The crossed has formerly been built into the tower, and was first recorded in 1911 and was removed in 1948. Cross B: Depicts a warrior with a pointed helmet, spear, swod, shield, axe and scramasax. Again, on the reverse can be seen a ‘Jellinge’ animal. This cross also was discovered in the tower wall and ‘liberated’ in 1948. Celtic influences are mixed with Anglo-Scandinavian work, and it is supposed, by reason of the local stone (some is exposed 2km north of the church) and inferior workmanship, to be local in origin. Cross C: First recorded at the east end of this aisle, in 1907, and is interesting in that it seems to combine both pagan, animal heads and a degenerate form of Christian vine scroll. It is unlike the others here, and has some Irish influences on an Anglian design, possibly representing an Anglian ‘Revival’. Cross D:A fragment showing a warrior’s helmeted head, together with forked beard. A similar beard appears on the Kirkdale crucifix, although the example here is much cruder. A knife is slung from his belt, and a scramasax is to the right of his legs. This is very similar to Cross B, and it is thought that the same template was used. The contoured plait is unusual for this area. Cross E:Formed of two fragments. The top part is a part of a ring-head cross. The bottom part has the head and shoulders of a man with a pointed helmet. The two fragments may have belonged together originally, but it is not possible to be sure. There is another cross-head and shaft still built into the tower on the south wall against the nave wall. One arm of the cross has been dressed off, in order to use the monument as a quoin, but it seems that the full length survives."

kelpie have visited here

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by kelpie : These five Viking crosses are housed in Middleton Church (SE 78193 85438). Cross A is a Jellinge type cross and shows a hunter with spear and scramasax, the other side shows a serpent type of animal. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Ancient Cross in Yorkshire (North)

Collection of Viking and Anglian crosses in the church at Middleton
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.


Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by kelpie : Close up view of cross B (Vote or comment on this photo)

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Sunny100 : Cross E fragment in St Andrew's church, dating from the 9th-10th century. It shows a Viking warrior in rather strange clothing with a long dagger or sword in his right hand and something else in his left hand. This is similar to the carving on Cross B. (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Sunny100 : Black & white image of Cross B in St Andrew's church. Dating from the 9th century, it is an Anglian/Norse wheel-head cross with a Viking warrior carving. He is either seated on a throne, or lying in his coffin. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by kelpie : Cross B is also a Jellinge type cross and shows a warrior with spear, sword, axe, shield and scramasax. The reverse has another serpent-like creature. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Photo taken in 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Cross C detail

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Cross E

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Close-up, cross B - The Middleton Cross

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Close-up, cross A

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Medieval misericord, photo taken in 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : The stone coffin has a hog back lid which has a sword carved on it. Photo taken in 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Cross D is part of a shaft which is carved with the figure of a man with a forked beard. Photo taken in 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : The other crosses are in the north aisle. Cross C has a raised boss in the centre with interlinked scroll work on the shaft. Cross E is a top and base which have been joined together.

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : The Middleton Cross taken in 2011 (1 comment)

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Cross B is the famous 10th century Viking ‘Middleton Cross’. Photo 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : At the back of the nave is cross A, a 3ft high 10th century Viking cross which has the figures of a hunter with spear and a stag carved on the shaft. Photo taken in 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Photo taken in 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : The nave is Saxon-Norman Photo 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : Embedded in the wall is an 8th century Anglian cross above the oval Saxon window. Photo 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Antonine : There has been a church here since Saxon times. The base of the tower is Saxon and on the west wall is a blocked-off Saxon doorway. Photo taken in 2011

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Anne T : Close up of the front face of cross A, showing the hunter with spear, sword, shield and scramasax (a short sword), two dogs and a stag.

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Anne T : Cross A which sits closest to the door to the church against the west wall, and at the time of our visit against a 'candle and pebble prayer table'.

Middleton Crosses
Middleton Crosses submitted by Anne T : Close up of the 8th century cross head in the external west wall of the tower.

These are just the first 25 photos of Middleton Crosses. If you log in with a free user account you will be able to see our entire collection.

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.
Click here to see more info for this site

Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map

Key: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Contributory Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 3.7km WNW 282° Sinnington Crosses* Ancient Cross (SE746861)
 4.4km N 357° Cawthorne Banks Tumulus* Cairn (SE779898)
 4.5km N 4° Cawthorne Square Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SE78458987)
 4.6km NNW 327° Cropton Cross* Ancient Cross (SE7562689277)
 4.7km N 356° Cawthorn Cart Burial Misc. Earthwork (SE778901)
 5.5km NE 42° Penny Howe Round Barrow(s) (SE81808955)
 5.5km WNW 301° Low Cross (Appleton Le Moors)* Ancient Cross (SE7342188200)
 5.7km W 277° Sinnington Round Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SE7255686032)
 5.7km ESE 116° Market Cross (Thornton-le-Dale)* Ancient Cross (SE83418302)
 5.8km NW 304° High Cross (Appleton Le Moors)* Ancient Cross (SE7335888560)
 6.0km NNE 25° Black Howe (Rawcliffe)* Cairn (SE80599087)
 6.0km NNE 17° Rawcliffe Howe* Cairn (SE799912)
 6.0km ESE 102° St Hilda (Ellerburn)* Ancient Cross (SE84148422)
 6.2km NNW 333° Black Park* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SE753909)
 6.6km E 92° Pexton Moor Cart Burial Misc. Earthwork (SE848853)
 7.3km NE 44° The Dragon Stone* Early Christian Sculptured Stone (SE832907)
 7.3km NW 315° St Cedd's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SE7291990460)
 7.3km NW 316° St Chad's Well (Lastingham)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SE7296390542)
 7.4km NW 314° St Mary (Lastingham)* Ancient Cross (SE72819045)
 7.7km NE 51° St Robert's Holy Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SE841903)
 7.8km NW 311° Mary Magdalene's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SE722904)
 7.9km W 262° St Michael and All Angels (Great Edstone)* Early Christian Sculptured Stone (SE704842)
 8.1km NE 38° Dundale Rigg RB1* Round Barrow(s) (SE8306091935)
 8.5km NE 38° Levisham Moor South RB1* Round Barrow(s) (SE8329592214)
 8.5km NNE 33° Levisham Moor South RB2* Round Barrow(s) (SE8280792608)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< The Bargain Stone

Clegyr Boia >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

Prehistoric Rock Art in the Northern Dales

Prehistoric Rock Art in the Northern Dales

Sponsors

Auto-Translation (Google)

Translate from English into:

"Middleton Crosses" | Login/Create an Account | 5 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
Re: Middleton Crosses by Anonymous on Tuesday, 30 October 2012
On the Time Team program, a lady said that the figure on Cross B was holding something, possibly a knife.
It is clear that the figure on Cross B is holding a BOW. Part of it would extend out of the "frame" of the stone, but it is clearly a BOW.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Middleton Crosses by kelpie on Tuesday, 30 October 2012
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    The figure is not actually carrying anything as both hands are clearly seen to be empty. The item you believe to be a bow is in fact a scramasax and is strapped to the waist and always held in this horizontal position with the cutting edge uppermost.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: The Real Vikings Time Team Special by Sunny100 on Monday, 11 October 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
Yes, a very interesting programme. Mind you, Time Team is always brilliant tele. I think Tony, Mick, Phil, Helen and Stewart are always so passionate about the sites they look at. They really do care. Keep up the good work Tony and the team.
[ Reply to This ]

The Real Vikings Time Team Special by Andy B on Monday, 11 October 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
As seen on Time Team Special 11th Oct 2010

Tony Robinson, Mick Aston and Phil Harding follow digs around the UK that uncover a vast array of archaeology and provide fascinating insights into our Viking past.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team-specials/episode-guide/series-5/episode-3
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Middleton Crosses by Sunny100 on Sunday, 18 July 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
Please note: My illustration of the Viking warrior is from Cross B - and not Cross D. I know, it is a bit confusing! I think I'm right this time.
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>

We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.