Cross under Dragon Stone, St Bees Priory Church, Cumbria
N 54° 29.627 W 003° 35.647
30U E 461518 N 6038624
This cross is only one metre tall and is opposite the main entrance of St Bees Priory church west door. The cross stands under the Dragon or Beowulf stone, which forms the arch above.
Waymark Code: WM9PW9
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/16/2010
Views: 4
Like every stone around here, the cross is made from red sandstone. The older parts of the priory are red sandstone. During the dissolution the priory survived because it is the parish church. The doorway opposite is magnificent. It is felt that the cross is post Norman but pre-dissolution (1100-1500), from its simple design. I doubt it was originally here as there are many more Saxon crosses in and around the Priory Church.
"On a lintel between the church and the vicarage is the so-called Beowulf Stone, a beautifully carved stone depicting a knight slaying a dragon-like creature. The connection with Beowulf seems very tenuous, and it seems likely that the modern name 'Dragon Stone' is more accurate, as the image would appear to show a figure not unlike St Michael slaying the dragon; a familiar Norman theme. Perhaps it is both, a carving based on Norse legends of Sigurd, a sort of Scandinavian St Michael, merged with Christian tales of St Michael." from Britain Express
Links
English Lakes picture of Dragon Stone
Visit to St Bees Priory Church has a picture of the cross (misnamed)
Visit Mysterious Britain has a small picture of another cross, confusing it with the Dragon Stone above.