Gents Mag 1856 part 1 p.170
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introduction | ||
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list, 3rd qtr 19th century | ||
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Gentleman's Magazine 1856 part 1 p.170
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Bewcastle Cross runes |
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Runes, Bewcastle
Cross
... ... Dr. Charlton then read a paper "On the Runic Inscription on the Cross at Bewcastle." This cross stands on the line of the celebrated Roman road, the Maiden Way, in the wastes of Cumberland, near the Borders, and is about 14 1/2 feet high, and 21 inches square at the base, tapering upwards to about 15 inches square at the top. At the summit is a socket in which a cross was doubtless placed. The pillar bears on its four faces various figures and ornaments (as may be seen engraved in Lyson's Cumberland), and also inscriptions in Runes. The first notice of this relic of antiquity appears in Camden, two centuries and a half ago; and various attempts have since been made, from time to time, to decipher the inscription - one of the latest being that of the zealous incumbent of Bewcastle, Mr. Maughan. Having, with great care, cleansed the stone of its lichens and moss, Mr. Maughan took careful casts of the characters, and communicated copies to several archaeologists; amogst others, to the Rev. Daniel Haigh, of Erdington, near Birmingham. On the north side of the cross is inscribed, very plainly, "Kyniburuk," or Cyneburg, the name of a queen of Northumbria, being the wife of Alchfrid son of Oswiu king of Northumberland. On the western face, the inscription, as deciphered, is - THIS SIGBECUN SETTAE HWAETRED, WITGAER, FELWOLD, & ROETBERT, UMAE KYNING ALCFRITHAE GEBIDAED HISSUM SAULA - intimating that the four persons first named had set up this cross to king Alcfrith, and requested prayers for his soul. Roetbert is commemorated in the Falstone inscription [Northumberland] as dead. Here he is named, with three other "thegns," as raising a stone to the memory of the good king Alcfrith, eldest son of Oswy, who succeeded St. Oswald, as king of Northumbria, in 643. Alcfrith, or Alchfrid, married Cyneburg, daughter of Penda, the pagan king of Mercia. Oswy and Alcfrid were zealous Christians; and to the influence of the latter was owing the conversion of Peada, son of Penda, and eventually that of the Mercians or Middle Angles. ... Not to follow Dr. Charlton into the controversies of Oswy and Alcfrid ... we return to the Runes. Mr. Haigh's interpretation of the inscription on the western face - (which, however, he gives subject to correction, his opinion being that the characters may not, all of them, have been accurately deciphered) - is remarkably confirmed by the occurence of Cyneburga on the cross, as read by Mr. Smith and others some years ago. On the south face is a Runic inscription, interpreted by Mr. Haigh - OSWU KYNING ELT - or Oswy the king. "Elt" may possibly refer to his being the elder (or head) of the family. This inscription confirms the supposition that the cross was reared in the lifetime of Oswy. No prayers being asked for the souls of Oswy and Cyneburga, as for the soul of Alcfrid, it may be inferred they are still living. If so, the memorial must have been erected between 644, when we last hear of Alchfrid, and 670, when Oswy died; and we have then a good date for fixing the age of the Falstone inscription, and of the many similar crosses which have escaped the ravages of time and man in the remote districts of Cumberland. In a note to his paper, Dr. Charlton refers to a new version of the Bewcastle inscription, published by Mr. Maughan in December, viz. - This sigbeacthon saetta Hwaetred, Withgar, Allewolthu, aft Alcfrithu, ean Kunig eak Oswiuing. Igebid heo sinna sawhual, i.e. "Hwaetred, Withgar, and Alfwold, erected this little beacon in memory of Alcfrid, at one time king with, and son of, Oswy. Pray for them, their sins and their soulds." The Doctor thinks the version of Mr. Haigh the more probable of the two, and nearer the truth. ... ... |
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