Cross in churchyard of St Mary's Church

Cadw's description

Location

Opposite the south porch of St Mary's Church.

History

A pre-Reformation cross in late Gothic style, much of the detail eroded. It clearly belongs, with the main features of the church itself, to a late C15 or early C16 period in which Derwen enjoyed enhanced patronage. It was specified as early as 1914 by the Royal Commission as 'a monument especially worthy of preservation'.

The lack of a foot moulding to the shaft may suggest it has been shortened; the pedestal may not be contemporary with the shaft and the steps are restored or repaired. Because of the evident rise in level of the adjacent ground the monument must have been re-erected at least once.

Exterior

A fine churchyard cross or pillar, with a sculptured head; the top of the finial missing. The shaft is oblong, standing on a plain pedestal with spurred corners and two plinth steps. The arrisses of the shaft are chamfered and carry raised flowers and crowned heads at intervals. There is a sculptured band beneath the head.

The top has single niches at north and south and double niches at east and west, beneath ogee canopies. The images in the niches are now very worn, and have been variously interpreted; the unifying theme is perhaps the Virgin, appropriately to the dedication of the church. To the west is the Crucifixion, with St John and the Virgin. To the east perhaps the Coronation of the Virgin, otherwise interpreted as Piety or as the Father in Glory, and to north a much weathered carving, probably the Virgin and Child. To the south is a figure apparently not conforming to the iconography of the Virgin, namely an angel with scales; perhaps St Michael representing the Last Judgement, or a representation of Justice.

Reason for designation

Listed at Grade II* as a fine example of late pre-Reformation stonecarving.

Scheduled Ancient Monument DE162.