Detail pic - CROS02

The land of Cornwall in the 7th century was a combination of thick forest and bleak moors and was inhabited by Celts, many having escaped to Cornwall from the invading Saxons.

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.


Tintagel, anciently called "Dundegell", is situated on the North coast of Cornwall, and is the heart of folk lore and legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The cross you see pictured here is known as the Trevena Cross and now stands in front of the Wharncliffe Arms Hotel. It was placed there in 1875, having been rescued by Lord Wharncliffe's steward, from a farm at Trevillet, 2-miles east of Trevena, where for many years it had been used as a gatepost, and then as a scratching post for cattle.

The mutilated condition of the cross testifies to the treatment it received, having large amounts of its once-round cross head hacked off. This is only one of two examples in the county with Anglo Saxon Capitals and Minuscules covering its shaft. Translated the inscription reads, "This cross, made for the repose of his soul".

The original cross is dated to the 9th Century.

This reproduction is exact in every detail except size. Measuring 8-inches tall and 3-inches wide, this piece of Celtic history would be a handsome addition to anyone's Celtic book collection.

$48 ITEM # CROS02


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