Medieval cross-slab recording

Recent work has included a research project recording medieval cross-slabs in local Gloucestershire churches. Cross-slabs are a relatively overlooked class of medieval funerary monument compared to the better known and often more magnificent effigy slabs and tombs. Cross-slabs are essentially characterised by a central cross motif, although there is considerable variety in their style and decoration, and there is overlap with other types of monument.

Cross-slabs, and possible foot-stone, at St Mary Edgeworth. Top row, left to right: incised expanded arm or Maltese Cross in circle on tapered shaft, 12th century; incised simple Greek cross on stepped Calvary; incised composite Maltese and straight arm-cross with ring around shaft, stepped Calvary and Chalice, 14th or 15th century? Bottom row, left to right: incised straight-arm cross with ribbon work and shaft with ribbon work band; incised expanded arm cross with shaft, 12th century; possible foot-stone with crude incised round-leaf bracelet cross, 13th century?

Cross-slabs are usually formed from rectangular or tapered slabs of stone with the principal cross decoration on the top face -which may be flat or coped. The cross motif may be relatively simple, or be a complex ‘bracelet’ cross with fleur-de-lys terminals, the cross is often shown surmounting a shaft, sometimes with a stepped Calvary. In addition to the cross design there are sometimes further motifs such as shears, chalices, keys and swords which may relate to the buried individual’s occupation or status. The design can be incised or in bas relief or with an inlay of another colour. As a rule there are not names or inscriptions on the slabs, but there are exceptions!

Cross-slab outside St Mary Edgeworth

The decoration and style of cross design varies and changes over time, and can be dated by reference to wider changes in architectural style, as well as from the location –e.g. a slab reset in the base of a 14^th century arcade must be earlier. Some designs appear to be copies of earlier designs, often crudely carved by masons possibly centuries later. As the number of recorded slabs increases we will be able to refine the dating of the slabs, as well as better understand the evolution and geographical spread of different styles and designs.

Cross-slabs from (left to right) St Andrew Miserden, St Kenelm Sapperton and St Michael Duntisbourne Rous. Left to right: slab with inlaid border and cross: straight-arm cross with expanded globular crosslets/terminals and straight shaft, probably with Calvary, late 13th or 14th century?; straight arm cross with simple expanded terminals, shaft with circle and probable Calvary, late 13th or 14th century;  expanded arm or Maltese cross, 11th-12th century.

The slabs were usually placed flat (recumbent) and may have been placed over the specific burial both inside and outside the church. There is often a chamfered border or roll moulding around the slab which indicates they were not set flush to the floor of the church or the churchyard surface but slightly raised up. Half-size slabs also existed, although some may have been head or foot-stones. 

Medieval cross-slab or foot-stone, St Mary Edgeworth; the design  may be based on a similar design on a cross-slab at St Kenelm Sapperton. Scale 10cm.

Relatively few if any cross-slabs will be in their original position - frequently they have been moved at least once. When churches were enlarged or modified cross-slabs were often disturbed; sometimes they were reused –either face up or face-down- in the new build, and were a convenient size and shape for reuse as lintels and sills. Cross slabs were also often disturbed by Victorian renovation works, and may be reset within the church in order to display the decoration often they are set in the floor, the porch, or set up against the church walls. Other cross-slabs have been found during excavations within churches. Cross-slabs are vulnerable to damage –if reset in floors they can be slowly worn away, if set up outside then they may be eroded by the elements and lichen, if they are loose then they are at risk of being damaged, or discarded.

Medieval cross-slabs and later grave slabs placed outside St Mary Edgeworth. The cross-slabs were disturbed during Victorian renovation works and set up outside the nave and chancel. Scale 50cm.

Recording work has concentrated on the north-east of England where gazetteers have been made of cross-slabs in several counties. In Gloucestershire recording work has been less systematic, cross-slabs are sometimes mentioned in the relevant entry in the Buildings of England series ('Pevsner'), but detailed recording has seldom been carried out. Detailed recording work will not only provide important detail on the variety of motifs and the evolution of designs, but also provide a record of vulnerable monuments. It is hoped that the project will continue recording Gloucestershire cross-slabs and eventually a county corpus may be possible.

For more information on cross-slabs and useful bibliography see https://sites.google.com/site/crossslabs/what-is  

Late 13th or 14th century cross-slab relaid in chancel floor of St Kenelm Sapperton, the slab is in front of the communion rail and becoming worn. The slabs surrounding the cross-slab are later ledger stones. Scale 10cm.

We would be very interested in hearing from anyone with any information on cross-slabs in Gloucestershire (and surrounding counties), it is hoped that we can continue recording Gloucestershire cross-slabs, and work towards a county corpus.