Medieval amphisboena in local sandstone, measuring about 20 inches by 18. Originally part of a larger piece of sculpture, it is described as a winged creature with a dragon-shaped body, a large head and well-defined teeth. A smaller head at the end of its tail is biting what appears to be a staff or shaft of a spear.
SITEASS
Stored in the vestry when (7) described it; where is it now ?
Site Type: Broad
Architectural Fragment
SITEDESC
Medieval amphisboena. Described by (7) thus: "The creature...has a dragon-shaped body which tapers. It is winged, and has a large and well developed head and well defined teeth. A smaller head at the end of its tail is biting what appears to be a staff or shaft of a spear. It is apparent that the stone is only part of a larger piece of sculpture. It is about 20 inches by 18, and is of local sandstone".
Site Name
Monkwearmouth Church, medieval amphisboena
Site Type: Specific
Carving
HER Number
416
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 416 >> J. Stuart, 1867, Sculptured Stones of Scotland, Vol. II, p. 65, pl. cxv.1
J.R. Boyle, 1886, On the monastery and church of St. Peter, Monkwearmouth, Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, XI, 51 and fig.
J.R.Boyle, 1892, The County of Durham, 544
B. Colgrave, 1948, St. Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Transactions Architectectural & Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, X (for 1944-53), 194
D.R.Fyson, 1956, Northern Dragons, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 5, I (for 1951-56), 242-3
R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 Appendix C, 155 (Monkwearmouth 33)
J.J. Wilkinson, 1939, The Monkwearmouth Amphisboena, Antiquities of Sunderland, XIX (for 1929-32), 12 and frontispiece
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Unassigned
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
87
DAY1
05
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
ROMAN
Specific Period
Roman 43 to 410
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
Roman stone in the north wall of the west porch of the church, measuring 12 inches by 6 inches, placed about one foot above the ground (like HER no. 414). The ornament upon it is of crude interlaced work, apparently hacked out with a pick. A stone with similar crude decoration is in the vestry of the church.
Site Type: Broad
Architectural Fragment
SITEDESC
Roman stone in the north wall of the west porch of the church, inside. (1) obviously thought this and 414 were Anglo-Saxon, and it also appears from his account that one (which?) has been built into the porch since he was writing. "...one of the rubble stones forming part of the north wall of the porch; being a piece of sandstone masonry measuring 12 inches by 6 inches, placed about one foot above the ground...The ornament upon it is of crude interlaced work, apparently hacked out with a pick. A stone with similar crude decoration...may be seen in the vestry of the church...".
Site Name
Monkwearmouth Church, Roman stone
Site Type: Specific
Architectural Fragment
HER Number
415
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 415 >> J. Hall, 1931, The dates of the monastic remains of St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Antiquities of Sunderland, XVIII (for 1918-25), 47
E.A. Fisher, 1962, The Greater Anglo-Saxon Churches, p. 89
R.J.Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 Appendix C 155 (Monkwearmouth 32)
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Unassigned
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
67
DAY1
05
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
ROMAN
Specific Period
Roman 43 to 410
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
Roman stone in the north wall of the west porch of the church, measuring 12 inches by 6 inches, placed about one foot above the ground (like HER no. 415). The ornament upon it is of crude interlaced work, apparently hacked out with a pick. A stone with similar crude decoration is in the vestry of the church.
Site Type: Broad
Architectural Fragment
SITEDESC
Roman stone in the north wall of the west porch of the church, outside. (1) obviously thought this and 415 were Anglo-Saxon, and it also appears from his account that one (which ?) has been built into the porch since he wrote. "...one of the rubble stones forming part of the north wall of the porch; being a piece of sandstone masonry measuring 12 inches by 6 inches, placed about one foot above the ground...The ornament upon it is of crude interlaced work, apparently hacked out with a pick. A stone with similar crude decoration...may be seen in the vestry of the church...".
Site Name
Monkwearmouth Church, Roman stone
Site Type: Specific
Architectural Fragment
HER Number
414
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 414 >> J. Hall, 1931, The dates of the monastic remains of St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Antiquities of Sunderland, XVIII (for 1918-25), 47
E.A. Fisher, 1962, The Greater Anglo-Saxon Churches, 91
R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 Appendix C 155 (Monkwearmouth 31)
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
87
DAY1
05
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
A possible grave- or coffin-cover, in medium-grained yellow sandstone, 132 cm long x 42 cm wide x 9 - 10 cm deep. Towards the upper end is a small relief cross, suggesting an 11th century date. Found under the floor of the chancel in 1969.
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
Grave- or coffin-cover, in medium-grained massive yellow sandstone. Chipped but unworn. A (top): edged by a wavering grooved moulding. Towards the upper end is a small relief cross, of a type which when found on smaller stones seems to be late. This piece has few diagnostic features but could possibly have covered a stone coffin. 132 cm long x 42 cm wide x 9 - 10 cm deep. C11 Found under the floor of the chancel during renovation of the heating system in 1969, and associated with a fragment of baluster shaft; probably not in situ. Dated C11th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Saxo-Norman grave or coffin cover
Site Type: Specific
Grave Slab
HER Number
413
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 413 >> R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 Appendix A 153-4, Pt 2 pl. 152.797 (M'mouth 30
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
87
DAY1
04
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Dolomite
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
An architectural fragment in local dolomite36.5 cm high x 30 cm wide x 15.5 cm deep. Contains a cross in high relief (identical with another at Monkwearmouth, built into the west gable of the tower) with arms tapering sharply towards a large round centre. The date of its discovery is unknown as is its date of origin, somewhere between the 7th century and 11th century A.D.
Site Type: Broad
Cross
SITEDESC
Architectural feature in Hartlepool and Roker dolomite. Chipped but unweathered. A (broad): cross in high relief. The arms taper sharply towards a large round centre. The upper and both horizontal arms touch the edge of the stone, whereas the lower is attached to a narrow stem. This example. tapering arms and wide centre, can be found in this area on grave-markers of the overlap period. It is identical with Monkwearmouth 28 (built into W gable of tower and not on SMR) and so could be part of C7 church rather than an insertion for consecration of C11 tower. These two stones are clearly a pair, and may be regarded as consecration or dedication crosses, but for original church or rebuilt tower? 36.5 cm high x 30 cm wide x 15.5 cm deep. Date uncertain - late C7 or C11. There is no evidence for its discovery. Dated C7th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon architectural feature
Site Type: Specific
Carved Stone
HER Number
412
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 412 >> B. Colgrave, 1948, St. Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Transactions Architectural and Archaeological Society Durham and Northumberland,X (for 1944-53), 193
Illustration H.M. & J. Taylor, 1965, Anglo-Saxon Architecture I, fig. 204
R.J.Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 133-4, Pt 2 pl. 116.620 (Monkwearmouth 29)
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Unassigned
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
87
DAY1
04
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Dolomite
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
The end fragment of a curving decorative strip in local dolomite, 6 cm high x 4.4. cm wide x 2.3 cm deep. One surface is smoothly polished and deeply incised with 2 parallel lines. The stone could relate to other fragments found locally (e.g. HER nos. 401-410). It was found in 1966 and is thought to date to between the 7th and 8th centuries A.D.
Site Type: Broad
Architectural Fragment
SITEDESC
End fragment of curving strip, in Hartlepool and Roker dolomite. Condition good. A: the surface is smoothly polished and deeply incised with 2 parallel lines. D and F: smoothly dressed. This seems to be part of a curving decorative strip. It could relate to some of the other fragments in the same type of stone and finished with a smooth polished surface. 6 cm high x 4.4. cm wide x 2.3 cm deep. Late C7 - early C8. Found in 1966 in archaeological excavations. Dated C7-8th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon architectural fragment
Site Type: Specific
Architectural Fragment
HER Number
411
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 411 >> R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 133, Pt 2 pl. 125.693 (Monkwearmouth 27)
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Unassigned
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
87
DAY1
04
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
An architectural fragment, 5 cm high x 10.5 cm wide x 9 cm deep, probably a corner stone, in medium-grained, reddened sandstone. The remains of three carved faces survive, containing some decoration. It was found in 1966 and is thought to date to between the 7th and 9th centuries A.D.
Site Type: Broad
Architectural Fragment
SITEDESC
Corner fragment, in medium-grained, micaceous reddened sandstone. Worn. The remains of three carved faces survive, edged by a roll moulding. The central part of one is bisected by a deep rounded moulding. It could be part of the end of a cross-arm with an interlace strand surviving on one face. However, the 'strand' is rather heavy in comparison with the edge moulding, so that it is possible that this could be the ridged roof of a small shrine. 5 cm high x 10.5 cm wide x 9 cm deep. C7-C9. Found in 1966 in archaeological excavations. Dated C7-8th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon architectural fragment
Site Type: Specific
Architectural Fragment
HER Number
410
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 410 >> R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 133, Pt 2 pl. 125.691-2 (Monkwearmouth 26)
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Unassigned
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
87
DAY1
04
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
An architectural fragment in coarse-grained yellow sandstone, 11 cm high x 7.5 cm wide x 3.5 cm deep. Probably the corner of a shaft or building stone, with a grooved moulding. The stone appears to have been recut and there are traces of fine mortar with a soft lime-washed surface covering the surface of the primary paint, which is a dense white covering over-painted with red. It was found in 1967 and is thought to date to between the 7th and 8th centuries A.D.
Site Type: Broad
Architectural Fragment
SITEDESC
Architectural fragment in coarse-grained carboniferous yellow sandstone. Condition good. This is the corner of a shaft or building stone, with a grooved moulding, and has been recut. There are traces of fine mortar with a soft lime-washed surface covering the surface of the primary paint. This is a dense white covering over-painted with red. Similar plaster painted with red stripes or bands on a white background has been found in the course of excavations at Monkwearmouth and several of the balusters (SMR 97) were painted. This stone is one of the few instances where the paint has been applied directly to the rough surface of the sandstone. 11 cm high x 7.5 cm wide x 3.5 cm deep. Late C7 - mid C8. Found in 1967 in archaeological excavations. Dated C7-8th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon architectural fragment
Site Type: Specific
Architectural Fragment
HER Number
409
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 409 >> R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt.1 133, Pt 2 pl. 124.685 (Monkwearmouth 25)
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
87
DAY1
03
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
Cross or architectural fragment in medium-grained yellow sandstone, comparable with HER no. 407. The fragment is 6 cm high x 8 cm wide x 4 cm deep. It was found in 1966 and is thought to date to between the 7th and 9th centuries A.D.
Site Type: Broad
Cross
SITEDESC
Cross or architectural fragment in medium-grained yellow sandstone. Worn. Part of a boss with interlace in the centre and a raised grooved edging. This is possibly the centre of a cross, but it could be some architectural decoration. It may be compared with SMR 407. 6 cm high x 8 cm wide x 4 cm deep. C7-C9. Found in 1966 in archaeological excavations. Dated C7-9th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon cross or architectural fragment
Site Type: Specific
Carved Stone
HER Number
408
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 408 >> R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 132, Pt 2 pl. 125.688-90 (Monkwearmouth 24)
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Unassigned
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
87
DAY1
03
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
An architectural fragment in medium grained yellow sandstone, 7 cm high x 5.3 cm wide x 2.5 cm deep, with one carved face surviving. It was found in 1962 and is thought to date to between the 7th and 9th centuries A.D.
Site Type: Broad
Architectural Fragment
SITEDESC
Architectural fragment, in medium-grained yellow sandstone. Unworn. Only part of one face survives. It has a flat chamfered moulding enclosing a bold cable. "This is possibly part of an architectural decoration, but it could be part of a slab. The carving is confident but departs from the fine miniature style of what may be considered the earlier pieces". 7 cm high x 5.3 cm wide x 2.5 cm deep. C7-C9. Found in 1962 in archaeological excavations. Dated C7-9th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon architectural fragment
Site Type: Specific
Architectural Fragment
HER Number
407
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 407 >> R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 132, Pt 2 pl. 124.684 (Monkwearmouth 23)