66

ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.

barous verses upon it ; it was also a place of sanctuary."* It is called Mugdrum-
Cross, and, according to the traditions of the neighbourhood, was " dedicated to a
great saint named Magrin. Three miles east of the cross is a Cairn, on which is an
obelisk of rough stones, or nodules, which is called Magrin's Seat."f

" At Ripon, Yorkshire, the boundaries of sanctuary of the collegiate church
were distinguished by crosses, three of which were named Kangel-Cross, Sharow-
Cross, and Athelstan's-Cross."J

Among the Monumental Crosses, those at Penrith church-yard, Cumberland,
are rather singular and curious. Two circular shafts, mortised into pedestals, are
situated about fifteen feet from each other, at what appears to be the extreme ends
of a grave. They are above eleven feet high, and at the top of each is a cross in
relievo. The shafts are also ornamented with fret work, &c. and " the space between
them is inclosed on each side with two very large, but thin, semi-circular stones ; so
that there is left a walk between pillar and pillar of two feet in breadth." §

In the church-yard of Glames, in Scotland, is a sculptured cross, which Mr.
Pennant says is supposed to have been erected in memory of " the assassination of
King Malcolm, and is called his grave-stone. On one front is a cross ; on the upper
part is some wild beast, and opposite to it a centaur : beneath, in one compartment,
is the head of a wolf; these animals denoting the barbarity of the conspirators." ||

The church-yard of Bewcastle, Cumberland, is rendered celebrated in the anti-
quarian annals, from the shaft of an highly ornamental cross, which still remains
there, and about which much has been written. It is a square column, about fifteen
feet high, and its four sides are charged with various sculptured devices. Bishop
Nicholson,^! Mr. Smith,** Mr. Gough,f f Wormius,|| and Col. Armstrong,§§ ascribe
this monument to the Danes. Many other antiquaries and topographers have
adopted this opinion ; and it is common to refer all these sculptured crosses to that
people, and pronounce all the inscriptions and carvings Runic. Pennant, Cordiner,
Dr. Ledwich, &c. admit and propagate, in their writings, the same hypothesis, and
each endeavours to substantiate it by much plausibility of argument. It thus very
generally happens, that the supposition or opinion of one esteemed writer is tacitly

* Cough's Additions to Camden, II. p. 237. t Ibid. III. 377- + History of Ripon, p. 86.

§ Pennant's Tour in Scotland, fifth edition, 4to. Vol. I. p 274. || Ibid. Vol. III. p. 74.

•fT Philosophical Transactions, No. 178, p. 1287 ; also in Gibson's Camden. ** Gentleman's Magazine,

ft British Topograph)', I. p. 284, and Additions to Camden, Vol. III.
{} Mon. Dan. p. 161. §§ London Magazine, August, 1775.