Stapleford Cross, cross in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, UK
Stapleford Cross is a stone monument from the early medieval period standing about 2.5 meters tall in the churchyard of St. Helen's Church in Nottinghamshire. The shaft has a square shape with rounded edges and features interlocking carved patterns and figures, including a winged form holding a spear.
The cross was likely built between the 8th and 10th centuries, with some experts dating it around 680 AD and others closer to 1050. In the 18th century it lay on its side in the churchyard before being moved to a new location where it was given a modern base and cap.
The name Stapleford comes from an old word meaning a tall post or marker, suggesting the cross served as a visible sign for the community. Today it connects the people of this place with their earliest Christian roots in the region.
The cross stands in the churchyard of St. Helen's Church where visitors can see it at any time. The location is easy to reach and the surroundings are quiet and peaceful, allowing time to examine the carved details closely.
A winged figure on the cross, possibly an angel or the evangelist Luke, holds a spear and is considered particularly rare among experts. The upper cross head was lost in the 18th century and later replaced with a modern ball, yet the ancient carvings on the shaft continue to reveal early Christian art forms.
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