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The Ruthwell Cross

Have you been to visit the high cross at Ruthwell yet? It is one of several crosses which were raised in the area between Whithorn and Bamburgh at the hight of Anglian power.

This cross is particularly famous because it has words from a poem called “The Dream of the Rood” engraved on it. The words are carved in Latin lettering and Anglian runes. Crosses like this were raised to make a statement and were probably painted bright colours.

They were designed to communicate with a multicultural society that was shaping into a Christian community. After several generations, and much violent conflict, the English immigrants learned about the saints and spirituality of the local British people, as well as their connections with the church in Africa, Rome and the Middle East.

Here is an introduction and a reading of a modern English translation of the poem

More about the cross can be found at these links

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/ruthwell-cross/history

Here are some 3D models of the cross as it may have been coloured

https://www.europeana.eu/en/item/2048702/ISTI_CNR_HA_RUTHWELL_CROSS_COLOR

Do you have any places or objects which communicate important aspects of your faith?

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