Introduction
Yesterday, we visited the famous Ruthwell Cross. This is located inside Ruthwell Church which is in a very rural location in Dunfries and Galloway. This is one of the few complete tangible connections with the early Anglo-Saxon period. The cross dates from a time when the English language was emerging from an amalgam of German and Frisian dialects.
Here is a video clip of the entire cross.
Background Information
The term ‘hidden gem’ can be found extensively employed in tourist literature. In the writer’s view the term has become discredited through over use.. However, following research I genuinely believe that the Ruthwell Cross falls into the aforementioned category.
Notwithstanding a life long interest in antiquities it was only by chance that I recently learned of the Ruthwell Cross. This ancient artefact is located in an isolated spot in southern Scotland, just 24 miles NW of Carlisle in England. A popular nearby site is Caerlaverock Castle.
Information from the British Library
QUOTE
Made in the 8th century, the Ruthwell Cross is one of the most impressive monuments to survive from the Anglo-Saxon period. This stone cross stands at over five metres high and is elaborately carved with inscriptions and scenes from the life of Christ.
What is the significance of the Ruthwell Cross?
The Ruthwell Cross is important for several reasons. Firstly, it is one of the best examples of ‘insular art’ – the artistic tradition which flourished in Britain and Ireland after the departure of the Romans. Secondly, the cross was made at an early point in this period. Thirdly, its surface is carved with inscriptions in Latin and also in Old English – the language of the Anglo-Saxons – using the runic alphabet. It is unusual to find runes on a Christian monument.
These inscriptions appear alongside classically influenced vine-scroll designs (which show interlacing vine leaves inset with birds and animals) and carved scenes showing Christ and various other religious figures. Though scholars agree that it was probably used as a preaching cross, there is some debate about exactly what these scenes are. One is very likely to be Christ treading on the beasts – an image we also find on a similar monument called the Bewcastle Cross. This shows Christ in a position of dominance over two creatures. Another image shows Mary Magdalene washing Christ’s feet, which is an episode from the Gospels. The cross was probably originally painted.
Why is the Ruthwell Cross important for literary historians?
The cross is important for the history of English literature because it contains an inscription in runes of a version of The Dream of the Rood – one of the oldest surviving Old English poems. This poem tells the story of the crucifixion of Christ from the perspective of the tree that was cut down to make the cross to which Christ was nailed. The only other surviving copy of this text is in the Vercelli Book,, a late 10th or early 11th century manuscript now housed in Vercelli Cathedral’s Chapter Library, in northern Italy.
During the time of the Reformation (16th century) the Ruthwell Cross was pulled down and partially buried. It was only reconstructed in the 19th century.
UNQUOTE
More information on the Ruthwell Cross
When the cross was constructed the modern-day unitary states of England and Scotland did not exist. It was a time of cultural flux and immigration (mainly from north Germany) when the foundation of the English language was laid down. When the cross was erected the Ruthwell site was in the English kingdom of Northumbria. The latter has since contracted to form a region of NE England.
When the cross was erected Christianity had not been fully accepted across all the peoples of Britain. Moreover there was no universal language. Whilst Anglo-Saxon had become established there were also populations of indigenous ‘Britons’, peoples who spoke a version of Welsh.
In addition to the cross, Ruthwell Church also houses a magnificent 12th century font.
The Trustee Savings Bank Museum, is in Ruthwell village. This institution is the the oldest savings bank in the world. It was founded by the Reverend Henry Duncan, minister of the parish in the 18th century. Nearby is the Brow Well, with its historic connection to Scotland’s National Poet, Robert Burns, who bathed there shortly before he died.
More information for the visitor
Information on history, artefacts and many other aspects of Scotland can be found in the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland. This publication is available via hard copy and Kindle. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4.