St Brynach Cross

Last updated
Saint Brynach Cross
Croes Sant Brynach
Nevern churchyard - geograph.org.uk - 543543.jpg
St Brynach Cross
LocationSt Brynach Church, Nevern

The Saint Brynach Cross (Welsh : Croes Sant Brynach) or Nevern Cross (Welsh : Croes Nanhyfer) is a 10th or 11th century stone cross at St Brynach's church, Nevern.

Contents

History

The cross is thought to date from the 10th or 11th century. Legend has it that the first cuckoo of the year in West Wales stands on the top of the cross and sings on the day of St Brynach's feast on the 7th of April. [1]

The cross stands at 3.72m tall in the churchyard of St Brynach's Church and was first noted to be in its current position in 1603 by George Owen of Henllys. [2]

The cross is made of Ordovician stone and of two separate pieces, the rectangular shaft and the cross-head.The cross shows interlaced and fret patterns carved into the rock which have viking influence. An inscription "DNS" on the western side of the cross translates as "Lord" and an inscription on the eastern face translates as "Hauen". [2]

It is likely that both the Saint Brynach Cross and the Carew Cross were made in the same monastery workshop and date to the second half of the 10th century or early 11th century. [3]

The Saint Brynach Cross, Carew Cross and Maen Achwyfan are considered the three outstanding high crosses of Wales. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High cross</span> Free-standing Christian cross made of stone and often richly decorated

A high cross or standing cross is a free-standing Christian cross made of stone and often richly decorated. There was a unique Early Medieval tradition in Ireland and Britain of raising large sculpted stone crosses, usually outdoors. These probably developed from earlier traditions using wood, perhaps with metalwork attachments, and earlier pagan Celtic memorial stones; the Pictish stones of Scotland may also have influenced the form. The earliest surviving examples seem to come from the territory of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, which had been converted to Christianity by Irish missionaries; it remains unclear whether the form first developed in Ireland or Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trellech</span> Human settlement in Wales

Trellech is a village and parish in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales. Located 5 miles (8 km) south of Monmouth and 4 miles (6.4 km) north-north-west of Tintern, Trellech lies on a plateau above the Wye Valley on the southern fringes of 320 acres (130 ha) of woodland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Three Bronze Age standing stones are situated in the village, known as Harold's Stones, which overlook the historic church of St Nicholas, a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nevern</span> Human settlement in Wales

Nevern is both a parish and a community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The community includes the settlements of Felindre Farchog, Monington, Moylgrove and Bayvil. The small village lies in the Nevern valley near the Preseli Hills of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park 2 miles (3 km) east of Newport on the B4582 road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major</span> Medieval Welsh church on 6th century monastic site

St Illtyd's Church is a church complex in Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan, southeast Wales. It is located at the site of the oldest college in the United Kingdom, once believed to have been founded as Côr Tewdws c. AD 395 by the Roman Emperor Theodosius II. It is now generally accepted as having been founded by St. Illtud c. AD 508, from whom it derives its name. The current church building was built in the 11th century by the Normans, with portions being rebuilt in the 13th and 15th centuries. The church building is one of the oldest and best-known parish churches in Wales. It is a grade I listed building, or building of exceptional interest, and has been called both the "Westminster Abbey of Wales" for its unique collection of carved stones and effigies, and "the most beautiful church in Wales."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brynach</span> 6th century Welsh saint

Saint Brynach was a 6th-century Welsh saint. He is traditionally associated with Pembrokeshire, where several churches are dedicated to him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penmachno</span> Human settlement in Conwy county borough, north Wales

Penmachno is a village in the isolated upland Machno valley, 4 miles (6 km) south of Betws-y-Coed in the county of Conwy, North Wales. The B4406 road runs through part of the village. The village is at the confluence of the Glasgwm and Machno rivers. It has a five-arched, stone bridge dating from 1785. The village has been referred to as Pennant Machno, Llandudclyd and Llan dutchyd in historical sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carew, Pembrokeshire</span> Human settlement in Wales

Carew is a village, parish and community on an inlet of Milford Haven in the former Hundred of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, West Wales, 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Pembroke. The eastern part of the parish is in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mounting block</span>

A mounting block, horse block, carriage stone, or in Scots a loupin'-on stane is an assistance for mounting and dismounting a horse or cart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felindre Farchog</span> Human settlement in Wales

Felindre Farchog is a small village in the community of Nevern in Pembrokeshire, Wales, located around 7 miles (11 km) south-west of Cardigan, and within the parish of Bayvil. The A487 road from Cardigan to Newport runs through the village.

Carew Cross is an 11th-century Grade I listed monument in the village of Carew, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chapel of St Non</span>

The Chapel of St Non is located on the coast near St David's in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. Held by tradition to mark the birthplace of St David, the ruin cannot be accurately dated but is unusual in that it is aligned north–south rather than the usual east–west. Near to the ruined chapel is a retreat, a modern chapel and a holy well. The site was protected in the 1950s and is now the responsibility of the Welsh Heritage organisation Cadw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Pabo's Church, Llanbabo</span> Church in Wales

St Pabo's Church, Llanbabo is a medieval church in Llanbabo, in Anglesey, North Wales. Much of the church dates to the 12th century, and it is regarded as a good example of a church of its period that has retained many aspects of its original fabric. The church houses a tombstone slab from the 14th century, depicting a king with crown and sceptre, bearing the name of Pabo Post Prydain, the reputed founder of the church. However, there is no evidence that Pabo, a 5th-century prince, lived in the area and the tradition that he founded the church has little supporting basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llanfechell</span> Village in Anglesey, Wales

Llanfechell is a village in Anglesey, Wales. It is the largest of several small villages and dispersed settlements that make up Mechell Community Council area. It is 11 miles (18 km) east of Holyhead, and 5.6 miles (9 km) west of Amlwch, in the north of the island.

Cynfarwy was a Christian in the 7th century about whom little is known. He was venerated by the early church in Wales as a saint, although he was never formally canonised. St Cynfarwy's Church in Anglesey is dedicated to him, and his name is also preserved in the name of the settlement around the church, Llechgynfarwy. His feast day is in November, although the date varies between sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margam Stones Museum</span> Museum of early Christian carved stones in Port Talbot, South Wales

Margam Stones Museum is a small Victorian schoolhouse near Port Talbot, South Wales, which now provides a home for one of the most important collections of Celtic stone crosses in Britain. All originally found within the locality of Margam, and mostly assembled as a collection in the 19th century, they provide enduring testimony to a Welsh Christian culture between the 6th and 16th centuries. The striking Cross of Conbelin is the most celebrated example. From around 1000 AD, it is a huge disc cross with Celtic interlace and plaitwork patterns, figurative scenes including a hunting scene, and inscriptions telling us who made it and who erected it. There are 17 early Christian stones, plus 11 memorials and other stones from the post-Norman periods. The museum is run by Cadw, the Welsh historic sites agency, and is close to Margam Abbey Church and the ruins of the Abbey buildings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Brides Major (community)</span> Human settlement in Wales

St Brides Major is a community on the western edge of the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. Its largest settlement is the village of St Brides Major, and also includes the villages of Ogmore-by-Sea and Southerndown, and the hamlets of Ogmore Village, Castle-upon-Alun, Heol-y-Mynydd, Norton and Pont-yr-Brown It is notable for coastal geology and scenery, limestone downlands and fossilised primitive mammals, sea cliffs and beaches, two Iron Age hillforts, three medieval castle sites,, two stepping stone river crossings and a clapper bridge. Three long distance paths cross the community. It is the western limit of the Vale of Glamorgan Heritage Coast, and has a visitor centre and tourist facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Einion Frenin</span> Welsh confessor and saint of the Celtic Church

Saint Einion Frenin was a late 5th- and early 6th-century Welsh confessor and saint of the Celtic Church. His feast day was originally given as 9 February, although this had moved to the 10th or 12th by the 16th century and is no longer observed by either the Anglican or Catholic church in Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archaeology of Wales</span> Study of human occupation in Wales

The archaeology of Wales is the study of human occupation within the country of Wales which has been occupied by modern humans since 225,000 BCE, with continuous occupation from 9,000 BCE. Analysis of the sites, artefacts and other archaeological data within Wales details its complex social landscape and evolution from Prehistoric times to the Industrial period. This study is undertaken by academic institutions, consultancies, charities as well as government organisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Dochdwy's Church, Llandough</span> Church

St Dochdwy's Church is a historic listed church in the village of Llandough, near Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maen Achwyfan Cross</span> Cross in Whitford, Flintshire

Maen Achwyfan Cross near the village of Whitford, Flintshire, Wales, is a high cross dating from the late 10th or early 11th century. Standing 3.4 metres (11 ft) high, it is the tallest wheel cross in Britain, and a Scheduled monument.

References

  1. Rees, Huw (2022-10-06). Wales on This Day. University of Wales Press. ISBN   978-1-915279-12-5.
  2. 1 2 "English – Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  3. Hull, Derek (2003-01-01). Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Art: Geometric Aspects. Liverpool University Press. p. 215. ISBN   978-0-85323-549-1.
  4. Pemberton, Cintra (October 1999). Soulfaring: Celtic Pilgrimages Then and Now. Church Publishing, Inc. p. 177. ISBN   978-0-8192-1780-6.