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Hedin's Cross Slab (Manx Cross 142)

Archaeology

This broken slab was found in the corner of the north keeill beyond the present parish church where it had been used, already broken, in a lintel grave.


Both faces bore a cross without a circle, most of which is now lost. There is minimal decoration, restricted to a cable-moulded border around the outline of both crosses and a rather inelegant step-pattern on both shafts. Below the right arm on one face is the only sculpted example in the Isle of Man of a Viking ship. The ship is quite well observed, so that the clinker construction of its hull can be seen, together with the standing rigging, the furled sail, and the steering oar. The panel to the left of the cross shaft bears a runic inscription which has been translated as, 'Hedin set this cross to the memory of his daughter Hlif.' A number of other runes have been added as graffiti.


On the other face, a short inscription up the right side of the shaft translates as 'Arni carved these runes.' Additional runes have been lightly scratched in parallel to this inscription as graffiti.

Maughold Churchyard

Connections

Book Chapters

  • Parish: Maughold
  • Sheading: Garff
  • Grid Ref: SC4935091760

Sources

  • Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record
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