Find Spot record MDO21208 - Cranborne, 9th century carved stone cross fragment

A carved stone fragment, thought to be of the 9th century and perhaps part of a mural cross. It is thought to derive from an early ecclesiastical building of which nothing else is known. Cranborne Abbey was not founded until 980 as a Benedictine Monastery. It was discovered in 1935 inCranborne Manor fish pond 150 yards NW of Cranborne church. The 1st and second edition OS maps show a pond in approximately the correct postion to the north of the manor house on the River Crane.

A carved stone fragment, thought to date from the 9th century and possibly part of a mural cross, was discovered in 1935 in Cranborne Manor fish pond located approximately 150 yards NW of Cranborne Church. It is now held in the manor house and is thought to derived from an early religious building of which nothing else is known [1][2]. Cranborne Abbey was founded in 980 as a Benedictine monastery. A pond is depicted on the 1st and second edition OS maps in approximately the correct position. The RCHME vol V Dorset (East) states that the object was found 150 NE of the church. This seems to be a misprint and should read NW of the church [3].

<1> Kendrick, T D, 1947, 'Cranborne; Fragment of a Pre-Conquest Sculpture, Probably from Cranborne Priory'; Archaeological Journal, 162 (Article in serial). SDO11070.

<2> Marquess of Salisbury, 1947, Cranborne Manor House; Archaeological Journal, 175-6 (Article in serial). SDO11071.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 5 (Monograph). SDO129.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2011 4:19PM