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<< Our Photo Pages >> Ripon Cathedral - Ancient Cross in England in Yorkshire (North)

Submitted by TimPrevett on Sunday, 18 October 2015  Page Views: 10212

Early Medieval (Dark Age)Site Name: Ripon Cathedral
Country: England
NOTE: This site is 0.3 km away from the location you searched for.

County: Yorkshire (North) Type: Ancient Cross
Nearest Town: Ripon
Map Ref: SE31457112
Latitude: 54.134968N  Longitude: 1.52016W
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
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
2 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.
2 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
4

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I have visited· I would like to visit

Anne T visited on 5th Sep 2015 - their rating: Cond: 3 Access: 5 Anglo Saxon Stones, Ripon Cathedral: Visit by arrangement with the Head Verger, 5th September 2015.
I'd made enquiries about the Anglo Saxon stones and received the following reply: "There is in fact little at Ripon by way of sculptured remains from the Anglo Saxon period. Clearly the Crypt itself is entirely Anglo Saxon, but there are no carvings here and some at least of the stones are Roman in origin. What remains otherwise are two stones built into the outer wall of the North Transept which are said to have come from Wilfrid’s 7th Century church. They have distinctive Celtic interlaced patterns. Also, in the Chapel of the Resurrection below the Chapter House there is a substantial drumstone which was one of two discovered in the 1990s under the tower. They are thought to be column bases from Wilfrid’s church. They are shaped with three stepped bands, but otherwise not decorated. One remains where it was found, the other now serves as an altar stone in the Chapel. (I wonder if these are the ‘imposts’ you have heard about?) The Chapel is not normally accessible, but it might be possible to arrange with a verger to see it.
The other early piece of stonework is the Sigurd Stone which is part of a stone cross which bears the image of the legend of Sigurd who was a Norse hero who sucked his thumb after a burning encounter with a dragon - though there are various interpretations of the story. The representation of this story on a Christian cross is of course remarkable, but this may not be of so much interest as it probably comes from a slightly later period. The stone fragment itself is currently in store."
In fact the Sigurd stone was largely obscured by staging, which hadn't been removed, so the verger on duty had to bring a torch to illuminate the three fragments, and I had to move fire extinguishers and clamber on top of staging to be able to see it at all. What a shame - this is a fantastic example of Anglo-Scandinavian carving. The verger also took me down to the Resurrection Chapel to see the large drumstone which now forms the altar; then we dived across into the north aisle to another small chapel to see another drumstone, worked into a font in the distant past but now topped with a modern circular mirror. We then went outside to see the stones in the external wall of the north transept (west end), then to the south nave where we'd spotted what looked like the remains of an ancient preaching cross (which I've also enquired about - yet to see a reply).
The cathedral was exceptionally busy, with the Great North Art Show being on, and the Northern Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsing for a concert that evening. Well worth going! Many thanks to the vergers for their time and patience.
First visit, 28th August 2015: Anglo Saxon Stones at Ripon Cathedral: I was intrigued by this page on the Portal, as I've been to several events here and not noticed any Anglo Saxon cross fragments , so when passing through decided to stop and have a look. We were greeted by a guide and asked him if he knew of the whereabouts of any Anglo Saxon stones or sculptures and were told they were probably down in the Anglo Saxon Crypt. I also had to pay £3 in order to take photographs within the Cathedral. The crypt has been white-washed since I last saw it (which is probably how it would have been in Anglo Saxon times) and this somewhat spoiled the ambience for me. There was a piece of wall left in its original condition, and you could see the remains of well worn scratches (possible runes and a small dedication cross?). I wasn't convinced this is what I was looking for. Since coming home, I've researched what this stone(s) might be and found reference to a 'roman-looking' carved pillar and some imposts on the Corpus of Anglo Saxon Stone Sculpture web site. We certainly didn't find these, although we had a good scout round. I have since sent off an email to one of the senior admin team at the Cathedral, and will report back when I get a reply.

MartinJEley visited on 6th Apr 2015 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 A beautiful cathedral with the Saxon Crypt and the library on the upper floor being the most interesting from my perspective.

grunge619 visited - their rating: Amb: 5 Access: 5 I was lucky enough to visit Ripon Cathedral many times. I visited back in 1985 and the queen was visiting that day so there was lots of people.I cant remember the actual date. I was a young man from country Nsw australia and my mind was blown many times with the sheer beauty and magnitude of North Yorkshire.

hevveh have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.5 Ambience: 5 Access: 5

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : This is one of the three fragments of The Sigurd Stone, currently kept locked in a storage room behind heavy staging. The description the cathedral gives is that the Sigurd Stone is the remains of a 10th century grave cross. (Vote or comment on this photo)
As well as the original Anglo Saxon crypt, there are a number of early Christian and pre-Norman stones within, and built into the fabric of Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire. All of which are said to have come from the original 7th century church of St. Wilfrid.

Two fragments are built into the exterior west wall of the north transept. A substantial drum stone, with three stepped bands, now serves as an altar stone in the Resurrection Chapel underneath the Chapter House. A second drum stone was re-modelled as a font in the past, but is now topped by a modern glass mirror and is used as an altar in a chapel in the north aisle.

The Sigurd Stone, now in three separate pieces, is said to date from the 10th century and described by a Cathedral guide as "part of a stone cross which bears the image of the legend of Sigurd who was a Norse hero who sucked his thumb after a burning encounter with a dragon - though there are various interpretations of the story. The representation of this story on a Christian cross is of course remarkable, but this may not be of so much interest as it probably comes from a slightly later period. The stone fragment itself is currently in store."

The Anglo-Saxon crypt is open to the public, although there are steps down into and out of the crypt. The Cathedral guide said there are "no carvings here and some of the stones are of Roman in origin."

It is possible to view the pieces housed inside the Cathedral by pre-arranging a visit with the Vergers (email address can be found on the Cathedral web-site), although it is understood at some point in the future they may be on open display within the body of the Cathedral.

Note: A visit to the Sigurd Stone in storage in Ripon Cathedral, photos by Anne T
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Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : This old stone, standing near the exterior south wall of the nave, looks suspiciously like the remains of an old preaching cross. It might be a grave marker, but I've sent a photo and an email to ask if anyone at the Cathedral knows what it is, as I forgot to ask on the day. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : A close up of the two stones with Celtic interlacing, to be found in the western wall of the exterior North Transept. They are also said to have come from St. Wilfrid's 7th century church. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : These are the two stones with Celtic interlacing, to be found in the western wall of the exterior North Transept. They are also said to have come from St. Wilfrid's 7th century church. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : This is the second of the large drum stones, said to be part of St. Wilfrid's original 7th century church. It is not located in the Resurrection Chapel, but in the Markenfield Chapel (?) in the North Aisle. Re-carved as a font at some time in the distant past, it is now topped with a modern circular mirror and serves as an altar. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : This is one of the two large drum stones, said to be part of St. Wilfrid's original 7th century church, now an altar stone, in the Resurrection Chapel. This is located under the Chapter House, and may be seen by special arrangements with the vergers; alternatively I'm told services are held here once a month. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : The top of the middle section of the Sigurd Stone has some lovely interlacing carved into it.

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : This is the third of the three fragments of The Sigurd Stone, currently kept locked in a storage room behind heavy staging. It was only possible to partially view this stone, having to move some more staging and fire extinguishers and clambering on top of some unstable boards, with the verger holding a large flashlight to illuminate it. (2 comments)

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : This is the second of the three fragments of The Sigurd Stone, and looks like the remains of a cross head. It is currently kept locked in a storage room behind heavy staging.

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : Close up of the only un-whitewashed piece of wall in the crypt. There are some well worn marks (look vaguely like runes and a small dedication cross). I've since sent an email to the Cathedral staff to ask if they can shed light on the possible whereabouts of the Anglo Saxon fragments (a 'roman-looking' carved pillar and some imposts).

Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral submitted by Anne T : This is the Anglo Saxon crypt at Ripon Cathedral, which is said to be part of St. Wilfrid's original 7th century church on this site. It has been white-washed since I visited 3 years ago. No sign of the Anglo Saxon cross fragments we were told might be down here, but very interesting never-the-less.

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"Ripon Cathedral" | Login/Create an Account | 8 News and Comments
  
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Re: Ripon Cathedral by Anne T on Tuesday, 08 September 2015
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Following my visit to Ripon Cathedral on Saturday, I contacted MartinJEley to let him know the locations of the stones following his comment posted 10th May 2015.

It turns out that he has seen other fragments of cross and cross-shaft, illustrated on a display board by the font in April 2015, which are different again. I contacted the Cathedral guide who gave me the original information, and he has replied: "I too am puzzled about the cross shaft illustrated in the display stand. I have asked in the past where it is located and have not yet had an answer. I suspect it is stored in one of the underground vaults, but it is a great pity it is not on display. It may have gone into storage or display elsewhere. I will continue that enquiry and let you know if we can locate it."

I wonder what else is hidden in the vaults/crypts of the Cathedral. It's a great detective story, if nothing else. I'll post any updates as I hear them. If anyone else knows anything, I'd be delighted to hear.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Ripon Cathedral by Anne T on Monday, 07 September 2015
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Update on the Anglo Saxon stones at Ripon Cathedral.
I received a reply to my email to the Cathedral (see below) which (largely) clarifies what stones/carvings there are, and where they are situated.

We arranged with the Head Verger to visit on Saturday, 5th September 2015 and one of the duty Vergers took us round, to the accompaniment of the Northern Philharmonic Orchestra who were rehearsing for a concert that evening. I have posted some photographs, and hope others will also be able to request visits to see these stones. The duty verger said she hoped these stones might one day be on open display, like at the new Visitor Centre at Hexham Abbey.

Well worth the visit, although the town was exceedingly busy with the Great North Art Show, which was also in the Cathedral, so parking was really difficult.

Extract from email reply from the Cathedral:
"There is in fact little at Ripon by way of sculptured remains from the Anglo Saxon period. Clearly the Crypt itself is entirely Anglo Saxon, but there are no carvings here and some at least of the stones are Roman in origin. What remains otherwise are two stones built into the outer wall of the North Transept which are said to have come from Wilfrid’s 7th Century church. They have distinctive Celtic interlaced patterns. Also, in the Chapel of the Resurrection below the Chapter House there is a substantial drumstone which was one of two discovered in the 1990s under the tower. They are thought to be column bases from Wilfrid’s church. They are shaped with three stepped bands, but otherwise not decorated. One remains where it was found, the other now serves as an altar stone in the Chapel. (I wonder if these are the ‘imposts’ you have heard about?) The Chapel is not normally accessible, but it might be possible to arrange with a verger to see it.
The other early piece of stonework is the Sigurd Stone which is part of a stone cross which bears the image of the legend of Sigurd who was a Norse hero who sucked his thumb after a burning encounter with a dragon - though there are various interpretations of the story. The representation of this story on a Christian cross is of course remarkable, but this may not be of so much interest as it probably comes from a slightly later period. The stone fragment itself is currently in store."
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Ripon Cathedral by PAB on Monday, 07 September 2015
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    Thanks for posting this extra information Anne - great to have the full story and additional photos.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Ripon Cathedral by Anne T on Monday, 03 August 2015
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Note to the much more experienced Portal Admins for your advice, please!

I've submitted a couple of images of the Anglo Saxon Crypt at the Cathedral, which is where we were told we would find the Anglo Saxon stone fragments we were looking for - they weren't there, so I'm not sure you will want to use these photos, so feel free to delete them. The crypt dates from the original 7th century church founded by St. Wilfried and is interesting in its own right.

From the Corpus of Anglo Saxon Stone Sculpture web-site I've determined that there should be a 'roman-looking' carved pillar - an Anglo-Saxon stone probably reused as part of an altar - together with some imposts. I've sent an email to the Cathedral admin team to see if it's possible to locate these and I'll report back when I get a reply. Thanks!
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Re: Ripon Cathedral by MartinJEley on Sunday, 10 May 2015
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I had the chance to visit Ripon in April and I enjoyed being able to visit the impressive cathedral. During my visit I saw a display close to the font that pictured the Saxon cross fragment but no-one on site was able to give me any idea where it is today. I followed afterwards and i have not been able to glean any information from the cathedral authorities. If I am able to make any progress I will add a post with the information.
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    Re: Ripon Cathedral by Sunny100 on Monday, 11 May 2015
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    There used to be some fragments associated with St Wilfrid in the crypt of Ripon Cathedral.
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