St Madoc's Church cross-incised stones

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of two early medieval cross-incised stones, which probably date to the seventh to ninth centuries AD. Both were first noted in the churchyard in 1864 and are now displayed in separate recesses at the W end of the nave of St Madoc’s Church. Item A is a cross-carved stone. It is carved from sandstone and measures 1.55m in height, 0.5m in width and 0.14m in thickness. Roughly dressed into the shape of a cross, the stone features an incised linear cross at its head that measures 0.22m in height and 0.18m in width. Item B is a fragment of a pillar stone with two incised crosses. It is carved from sandstone and measures 0.61m in height, 0.53m in width and 0.47m in depth. The principal face features an equal-armed cross-crosslet with an elongated lower arm and ringed intersection. The upper face features an incomplete Latin cross with cross-bars on the horizontal arms. It is proposed that the scheduled area be revised so that it corresponds more accurately with the location of the monument.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the early medieval period in Wales (c. AD 400 – 1100) for which this class of monument forms one of the most important sources of evidence. It forms an important element within the wider early medieval landscape, providing important evidence for this formative period of Welsh history, particularly concerning the origins and evolution of Christianity, the development of stylistic traditions and carved stone production.

The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described. It is rectangular in shape on plan and measures 2m N-S by 1m transversely.