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Olaf Liotulfson's Cross Slab (Manx Cross 106)

Archaeology

This cross, popularly known as Olaf Liotulfson's Cross, once stood on a mound outside the churchyard. It was moved into the churchyard to a site adjacent to the former church, which once extended further east of the present structure, and then later, around 1890, moved again into the church itself for protection. The precise location of the mound is now unknown, but is likely to have been the original site of the burial of the individual for whom the cross was raised.


The slab is wheel-headed, while its sides are cut away to leave a wide base and a tapering shaft. The foot of the slab, now hidden, has been further cut to create a tenon that would have originally fitted into a stone socket. There is a record of a socket stone having been found, but its whereabouts are now unknown.


One face shows a cross without a ring; the head shows four interlocking bands which terminate in triquetra knots in each arm. The shaft is decorated with tendril pattern interlace, the space to the left has key-fret pattern, and that to the right ring-chain interlace, headed by a small Celtic cross. A plait-of-three terminating in knots encircles the head of the cross.


The other face shows a similar cross, but the limbs are connected by a broad circular ring. The head is treated in a similar manner to the other face but here the bands terminate in a looped buckle and ring design. The shaft shows an adaptation of this buckle and ring treatment. The panel to the right of the shaft has a plait-of-four. The panel to the left bears a runic inscription which translates, 'Olaf Liotulfson erected this cross to the memory of Ulf his son.' The Old Norse name element "Liot" is the same word as that found at the end of the modern Manx surname Corlett.


The two faces of the cross might almost be a celebration of the most distinctive patterns seen on the Manx crosses, with no less than five different designs appearing on the cross-shafts and the panels to either side. Based upon the style of decoration, the cross dates from AD 950 - 1000.

Ballaugh Old Churchyard

Connections

Book Chapters

  • Parish: Ballaugh
  • Sheading: Michael
  • Grid Ref: SC3407095710

Sources

  • Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record
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