Gosforth Cross

The Gosforth Cross is a large stone Anglo-Saxon high cross in the churchyard at Gosforth in the English county of Cumbria, an area heavily settled by Vikings. It has elaborate carvings which have been interpreted as representing characters and scenes from Norse mythology. Those include:

* Loki bound with his wife Sigyn protecting him.
* The god Heimdallr holding his horn.
* The god Víðarr tearing the jaws of Fenrir.
* Thor's failed attempt to catch the Midgard Serpent.

The cross also has Christian symbolism, including a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ.

The cross is 4.4 metres tall and made out of red sandstone. It is estimated to date from 920-950 and is still in fairly good condition. The church also has important hogback tombs.

References

*gbmapping|NY072036
* [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=7410 Megalithic Portal]
* [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cj.tolley/ctm/ctm-gosforth.htm Pre-Norman Stone Crosses in the British Isles]
* Bailey, Richard N. "Scandinavian Myth on Viking-period Stone Sculpture in England." [http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/medieval/saga/pdf/015-bailey.pdf]
* Finnur Jónsson (1913). "Goðafræði Norðmanna og Íslendinga eftir heimildum". Reykjavík: Hið íslenska bókmentafjelag.