United Kingdom

Gosforth Cross

Viking-era carved cross, Cumbria (10th century)

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

The Gosforth Cross is a large stone monument in St Mary's churchyard at Gosforth in the English county of Cumbria, dating to the first half of the 10th century AD. Formerly part of the kingdom of Northumbria, the area was settled by Scandinavians some time in either the 9th or 10th century. It has gained reputation for its combination of Christian symbols with Nordic symbols, being a tangible piece of evidence of the impact of the Christianization of Scandinavia.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Scandinavian settlement of the area

9th–10th century

Creation of Gosforth Cross

c. 920–950

V&A replicas produced

1882

Identification by Charles Arundel Parker

1886

Aspatria life-sized replica erected

1887

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Burial and Funerary Structures

TombsCemeteriesHogback tombs
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

ChurchesStelae
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

MonumentsReliefs
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

United Kingdom

Coordinates

54.42° N, -3.43° E