Raglan Churchyard Cross

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument consists of a free standing cross base probably dating to the early medieval or medieval period, which stands in the churchyard on the S side of the church. The four steps below and the shaft above of this monument are modern but the base and cross base are original, the whole monument stands 3m high. The square block which forms the base is 0.8m high and 0.9m in width and depth and has four large chamfered stops in the corners, making the top octagonal. A band of small shields is carved around the top of the stone and two shields are carved beneath these towards the top of the NE and NW sides. The centre section of the N side displays a decorative centre panel of a hollowed shallow arch with a trefoil-shaped hollow above it. On the E, W and S sides of the stone is a centre decoration of a circle with a rounded cross shape in the middle. Above the base stone is a short section of original cross base, which is 0.2m high and 0.3m across. The shaft is octagonal, with small chamfered stops in the corners at the bottom. On top of it is a more modern octagonal shaft c 1.5m high.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the organisation and practice of Christianity. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. A cross base may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.