Appendix B item (stones wrongly associated with pre-Conquest period)

Part of a carved panel of oolitic limestone, 17.9 x 24.5 cm (7 x 9.6 in), built into the wall of the 'Treasury' in Berkeley Castle. A man with a pointed beard is depicted in the act of putting on, or taking off, an elaborate outer garment. He holds neck-ties in each hand. The figure's ribs show, indicating that he is wearing nothing under the outer garment. A wide border survives at the bottom and on both sides, showing that this was a relatively small panel, and lack of weathering suggests that it was originally set internally. The shape of the border, curving upwards across the bottom and returning either side of the figure, suggests that this could be the lower arm of a cross-head. The elaborate nature of the figure's coat might indicate that the intended subject is Joseph being sold by his brothers into slavery. However, the fact that the figure appears to be naked under the coat suggests that an alternative interpretation could be the unrobing of Christ before his crucifixion. The present author initially thought that the carving might be Anglo-Saxon, but further study has indicated that the panel should be dated to the late eleventh or twelfth century.