Parish Church of St
Bridget,
with
The
Church of the Resurrection and
All Saints, Caldy
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An Inheritance of Faith
The HOGBACK STONE
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SIGNIFICANCE
The
"Hogback" stone is of Anglo-Norse origin, and dates from the early eleventh
century, and the Norse (or "Viking") settlement of Wirral. It
represents evidence of Christian burial and the use of this site for Christian
worship at the last Millennium. It is a powerful reminder of the long Christian
inheritance of the worshipping community at St Bridget's. It is appropriate
that one of the oldest artifacts in this area is one which can witness to the
vitality and continuity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is "the same,
yesterday, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
BACKGROUND
Documentary
evidence is limited, but it seems likely that the Norsemen arrived in Wirral
(and elsewhere on the north-western seaboard) from Ireland in the tenth
century. Their arrival was primarily by settlement rather than military
occupation, and there seems to have been a gradual conversion to Christian
faith. Indeed, many of those arriving seem already to have been Christian,
hence the dedication of this church to St Bridget, Abbess of Kildare. The Norse
settlers have left their mark on this area not only in the "-by"
ending of many place-names, but in the sculptural tradition of crosses and
stones, including our own "Hogback" Stone. You can discover more
about the Norse settlement of Wirral in two books: "Ingimund's Saga"
by Stephen Harding (Countryvise Publications, 2000) and "Wirral and its
Viking Heritage" by Paul Cavill, Stephen Harding and Judith Jesch (English
Place-Name Society, 2000). Both books are usually available at Lingham's
Bookshop on Banks Road, West Kirby.
RECENT HISTORY
The stone was
discovered during the restoration of the Church in 1869-1870, traditionally
having been unearthed on the site now covered by the aisle in which it stands.
It was originally preserved in the Dawson-Brown Museum adjacent to the former
Schoolroom. Its recent transfer into the church is paralleled by the display of
similar stones in other churches (eg.Gosforth and Aspatria in Cumbria) There remain in the Museum a number of
examples of Cross fragments from the same period as the stone, as well as
artifacts of a later date. A visit to the Museum can be arranged by contacting
the Custodian, Mr Rod Tann (0151-625-1234) or the Rector (0151-625-5229).
DESCRIPTION
The stone is
carved from a hard, grey, sandstone, not of the local variety. A similar stone
is found in the district of Ruabon, near Wrexham, although some have argued for
a Yorkshire origin.
It is similar
to other stones found in the north west of England, north Yorkshire, and
southern Scotland. The popular generic description "Hogback" relates
to the curving top of the stone, although the West Kirby example has been
damaged in this area. However, the likely origin of this style is in imitation
of Saxon stone shrines (eg."Hedda's Tomb" in Peterborough Cathedral),
which are themselves inspired by the gabled tombs of the christian
Mediterranean world. The "Hogback" sculptors also imitated
contemporary buildings, hence the curved roof, and often also curved sides,
giving to some stones a "boat" shape.
Many Hogback
stones imitate a tiled roof, but on this example the tiles have become so
stylised as to resemble large tear drops. The decoration on the side of the
stone is a late example of an interlace or "plait" which can be found
on much sculpture, Anglo-Norse and Celtic. The "cart-wheel" pattern
found above the tiles is unusual, but is similar to designs on a cross on the
Isle of Man.
The quality of
carving is not of the highest order - notice how the sculptor has failed to
join up the interlace work. He has also carved against the "grain" of
the stone, so that exposure to rain, frost and ice has caused the damage to the
top portion.
As well as the
damage to the top of the stone, it seems that at some later stage in its
history the ends of the stone have been lost – perhaps deliberately cut off,
perhaps so that the stone could be used as a lintel or in a wall.
All the
surviving "Hogback" stones have been found within parish churchyards
and scholarly opinion is that they served as markers for the burial place of
important members of the Norse community, some stones perhaps being combined
with head and foot stones, and even with standing Crosses. These stones can
witness to our trust in Christ, who is the resurrection and the life of all the
faithful. (John 11:25)
Almighty God
you have
kindled the flame of love
in the hearts
of all who have kept faith in this place
for a thousand
years:
grant to us
the same faith and power of love,
and as we
rejoice in the triumphs of your grace in their lives,
may we be
sustained by their example and fellowship;
through Jesus
Christ our Risen Lord.
Amen
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