Christianity had started to filter into the beliefs of the people, and it was those beliefs about which the first Celtic crosses were carved and etched.
As there were few churches in the region, the Celtic crosses were considered sacred places where the people would go to give thanks or perform pagan rituals.
As the centuries progressed and Christianity gained in popularity, more and more churches were built. However, they were still several days walk away for some folk, so the Celtic crosses (now larger and more elaborately carved) would be erected along the tracks leading to the places of worship, and they would face the direction in which the folk would have to travel to get to the church.
In the 10th and 11th centuries, more and more land was needed for housing, roads and agriculture, so a number of the crosses were uprooted. The lucky ones were re-erected in churchyards where they can still be found to this day. The unlucky ones were used as walling material or gateposts.
As the church became a feature of every parish, the need for the Celtic cross became less and less until eventually they stopped carving them in about the 14th century.
Many people believe that the crosses hold mystical energies, and regularly visit a cross to touch and hug it, feeling refreshed and revitalised from its power.
There are many ancient crosses still standing throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, some of which have been in place for well over 1000 years.
This Celtic Cross is known as the Prideaux Place Cross and is located on the grounds of Prideaux Place Manor House in the ancient port of Padstow in Cornwall. This cross is unusual because of it's flat-sided cross head and straight diagonal connecting limbs. Originally the cross was much taller. Why is was shortened, and who shortened it is still a mystery today. The original dates to around the 12th Century. Our reproduction is an exact scaled-down reproduction and measures 7-inches tall x 2-inches wide x 1 1/2-inches deep.
$42 ITEM # CROS04
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