The Nunnykirk Cross

Until its acquisition by the Museum of Antiquities at Newcastle, the Nunnykirk Cross was the most important piece of local Anglo-Saxon sculpture still in private possession. It is unique in form and its ornament on the broad faces is unusual in sculpture. That on the narrow faces links it to other crosses in Hexham and the Tyne Valley. It was of particular interest to the Museum since it falls midway between the Rothbury Cross of c. 800 which the Museum already possessed and the Alnmouth Cross of c. 1000, on loan to the collection from The Duke of Northumberland.