Bristol University, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology

Recovered in the course of archaeological excavation in the Vicarage Garden, Repton, by the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol, in 2016.[1] Site code REP 16, Context 5026, Small find 50027. For the probable original context of this fragment, see Chapter V, p. 57.

St Wystan

Fragmentary and broken, especially on C/D where the surface has sheared off leaving only half the original broad side (A). Otherwise, the carving (on A only) is in good condition

A (broad): Much of this face has been broken off, leaving the upper quadrant of the original decoration. This consists of a lightly incised narrow flat outer moulding demarcating the upper left-hand corner, inset with a slightly narrower inner flat moulding. The decoration contained by these borders consists of the remains of a coherently formed, but equally lightly incised, key pattern to the right of which is a circular feature, the nature of which is too incomplete to ascertain.

B (narrow): Broken

C (broad): Most of this face has sheared off; the remains are well dressed but undecorated.

D (narrow): This face is very well dressed but undecorated.

E (upper): Well-dressed but undecorated

F (lower): Lost by the break in the stone

Although small and fragmentary, this piece likely represents the remains of the end of a cross-arm which was decorated with key-patterning, articulated in a technically accomplished manner, on one face. Carved from the same stone type as used for the other pieces recovered from the site, it represents yet another piece of an elaborate monument, probably a high cross, that was set up across the site during the pre-Viking period. The very severe damage, reducing the piece to no more than a small cube, is comparable to that inflicted on other pieces (e.g. Repton 2-5 from stone setting over Graves 511/295), and may reflect the deliberate breaking up of the carved stone monuments around the site during the latter half of ninth century (see Chapter V, pp. 56-7).

Eighth to ninth century

Unpublished

[1] The authors are deeply grateful to the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol, for the opportunity to include this piece here, almost immediately upon its recovery.