Gosforth Cross, Anglo-Saxon stone cross in Gosforth, England
Gosforth Cross is an Anglo-Saxon stone cross standing in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church in Gosforth, carved from red sandstone. It rises to a height of roughly 4.4 meters (14 feet) and shows reliefs with figures and ornamental patterns on all four sides.
The cross was erected between 920 and 950 when Scandinavian settlers took root in the former Kingdom of Northumbria. This period marked the start of a blending between Norse and Christian traditions in the region.
The stone carvings show figures from Norse myths, such as Thor's fishing trip or Vidar fighting Fenrir, while other panels carry Christian motifs. This mixture makes the shift between two belief systems directly readable and visible for today's visitors.
The cross stands in the open churchyard of St. Mary's Church and remains accessible throughout the year. Visitors can walk around the stone to view all carved panels up close.
On the west side of the cross appears a serpent coiling around the lower shaft, still clearly visible today. This serpent figure likely belongs to the depiction of the Midgard serpent from Norse mythology.
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