The figure upper right is bird-shaped and is thought to represent the maid Gerth. Below her you will need to twist your head again! Left: The tethered steed from the Gerth Fragment. Right: Close up of the head of the Mal Lumkun cross. This is only a fragment but it is a remarkable one. Apparently, kermode suggested it may have represented the Ascension.
In the spaces above the cross in the left hand picture are a winged figure and a cock. The figure is thought to be an angel but juxtaposed with the cockerel might it not be St Peter?
The reverse side of the cross right is not pictorial but its intricate interlaced work is very beautiful. This massive cross 7ft high is late tenth or early eleventh century.
It is decorated on both sides with a long runic inscription along one edge. This is a beautifully decorated piece. Either side of the cross shaft are carved designs and hunting scenes. There are spiral volutes below the cross head. One side of the cross second left is believed to be by Gaut.
Note the stag above the cross head being pursued by a hound. This cross is covered in symbols of the Viking way of life. Centre and Right: Cross No One face centre shows inly interlaced decorative designs but the other has a chain-ring design surrounded by figures. Above and Below: Images from Cross There is a complex story being told here and it is quite difficult to talk about it without showing every detail of the cross which would be, perhaps, a little OTT.
Suffice to say that this cross treats us to all kinds of Norse characters as well as the Archangel Michael! The picture above left is Odin with his spear. Left: Cross No Centre: Deeply carved runes. Right: Close up of the runes on the Mal Lumkun cross. Footnote - What are Runes? Whole books have been written on this subject so this is just a brief description. Runes, as you can see in the pictures above, were a simple form of writing.
Note that curves and circles play no part in runic scripts. Each rune is a variation on a vertical line. The reason for this is that they were intended to be inscribed mainly on wood - particularly on bark - and on stone. In the case of wood it was therefore possible to mostly carve along the grain, making the whole task so much easier.
Ancient cuneiform script was also, by and large, based on straight lines although the characters were often much more elaborate than runic scripts. We might see runes as being a continuation of an age-old tradition of devising forms of writing designed to best fit the writing materials available. Cuneiform, for example, was used to carve on clay tablets with a stylus.
Inscription: raisti kru s, thana, af tir Whatever may have been the relationship. Cross Slab no. It shows remains of the double twist and ring design.
On one edge part of an inscription reads: A. Dragon Cross no. The patterns are similar on both sides. The limbs have spaces between them and are connected to a circle before tapering off to the foot. The broad ring is decorated with plait work and loose interlacing. The looping design is Scandinavian, while the dragon, long arrow headed tails and pear shaped eyes are Norse. This cross was recorded to be in the Kirk Michael churchyard by Bishop Wilson's tomb.
The bottom section was broken off and its original position is unknown. A piece of another Dragon Cross 15in high and 9in thick was also found on the site, but was too fragmented to make a proper assessment. The cross is almost 5ft high and 2ft wide. On the right there is a robed figure with long braided hair. She is holding a four pronged spear or staff in her hand. This figure possibly meant as the wise woman, Hyndla as seen on the Jurby slab.
Below the figure is a tethered steed with the gold board won by Sigurd from the dragon Fafnir on its back. There are bits of a broken inscription: aiftir, mui translated as Grim's Cross no. One shows double twist, diamond shaped rings, plain twist and ring and a decorative tendril pattern. The other face had a ring chain on the shaft.
The spaces at the sides are occupied with figures. Here we see Odin, armed with a spear and preceded by his wolves. Below Odin is the great fish of Valhalla. Left of the shaft, heroes fighting on Idavoll the hunting of the boar of Saebrimner. After feasting on the boar, Thor would wave his hammer over the bones and bring them back to life. Above the fallen hero is a robed figure, perhaps representing the Archangel Michael, who was the over thrower of demons and the workers of evil.
Meaning Grim raised this cross to the memory of IIromund his brother's son. Crucifixion Cross Slab no. One of the face is carved in the style of Gaut with decorated bands. At one side of the head is a Scandinavian dragon with a man and bird on the other side. The other face is more elaborately carved.
The central figure must be Christ in ascension, his arms outstretched in an attitude of blessing. Participants should be fit and capable of sustained cross country walking. Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear appropriate for the day should be worn. Sufficient food and water should be taken. The route is not waymarked on the ground, but a detailed map , scale is available from our St John's office or can be downloaded from this page. The distance between WayPoints is shown after each description.
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