The Ruthwell Cross :: Artifacts History Religion Essays

The Ruthwell clickThe Ruthwell Cross is a late seventh or early eighth century sculpted preaching stick. It can currently be establish in the town of Ruthwell, near Dumfries in southern Scotland. Standing close to 17 feet tall, the soft touch is adorned with Latin and Anglo-Saxon runic inscriptions and carvings. The cross, close to thirteen centuries old, has as much history as wizard would transmit for an artifact of this age. The Ruthwell Cross was partially dismantled most likely during 1642 at the order of the Church of Scotland General Assembly. The General Assembly was looking to loose Scotland of items of Roman worship. Believed to be connected with Roman worship, the cross was dismantled and overspread out on the grounds of a small church in Ruthwell. Its pieces, which were large in size, were used as paving in somewhat parts of the church grounds. In the early 1800s the pieces were located and the cross was speculate at the order of Reverend Doctor Henry Duncan. Although most of the cross was found and pieced together, Duncan had to construct a new crossbeam for the cross. The significance of the cross lies in its inscriptions and carvings. Some of the carvings on the cross are said to lay out passages from the New Testament. Portions of the Anglo-Saxon runic inscriptions have been determined to be passages from one of the most accepted Old English religious poems, The Dream of the Rood. in that respect is some controversy surrounding this poem, as its author and date of intromission remain unknown to this day. Some historians believe it was written by the illustrious poet Caedmon however, there is no proof that it is his work. In conclusion, the Ruthwell Cross has a expand and important history behind. Its runic inscriptions and carvings give us insight into what the enculturation was like in those times. The Ruthwell Cross is an important piece of history and is recognized as such in the Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1882, downstairs which it is protected. GRAPH