Volume 13: Derbyshire and Staffordshire
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Current Display: Alstonefield 12, Staffordshire
Overview
Object type: Fragment [1]
Measurements: H. 20.5 cm (8.1 in); W. max. 33 cm (12.9 in); D. unknown
Stone type: Medium grained reddish-brown (2.5YR 5/4) feldspathic sandstone with haematite specks visible. Namurian sandstone consistent with Roaches or Ashover Grit, Marsden Formation, Millstone Grit Group, Carboniferous (R.T.)
Plate numbers in printed volume: Ill. 514
Corpus volume reference: Vol 13 p. 272
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National Grid Reference of Place of Discovery
SK 133553
Present Location
Built into the exterior north wall of the north aisle of the church, at the west end, about 20 cm (7.8 in) from the ground
Evidence for Discovery
Although Purchas (1898–9, 87) refers to the pre-Norman remains at the site as 'having been met with in the course of repairs', which Pape (1945–6, 27) attributes to the restoration of the church in 1875, it is not known whether this piece was recovered during renovation or has been within the fabric of the wall since the aisle was built, probably in the sixteenth century (Listed Entry 1038158).
Church Dedication
St Peter
Present Condition
Fragmentary, worn and weathered and frequently moss covered, with only one face visible
Description
The visible face is decorated with a four-strand simple interlace, presumably truncated at each end. Above is a broad length of edge moulding, extending along the width of the fragment.
Discussion
This is possibly part of a cross-shaft or part of the upper portion of a round-shaft cross; given its fragmentary nature, it is not possible to make further observations about its possible original form. The simple interlace pattern is common at Alstonefield, especially on the upper portions of round-shaft crosses, although it is not exclusive to any type of monument in the county or elsewhere.
Date
Possibly tenth century
References
Purchas 1898–9, 87–8; Le Blanc Smith 1904b, 232, 237, fig. 4; Le Blanc Smith 1906, 229; Jeavons 1945–6, 117, pl. XXI.2; Pape 1945–6, 26, 29; Pape 1946–7, 23, 24; Steele 1947–8a, 121; Fisher 1968, 57; Sidebottom 1994, 148, 217 (Alstonefield 9)
P.S.
Endnotes
[1] The following are non-specific references to monuments at Alstonefield: Purchas 1898–9, 87; (—) 1900, 196; (—) 1914–15, 204; (—) 1930–1, 163; Pape 1930–1, 145–6; (—) 1934–5, 85; Steele 1947–8a, 119; Steele 1947–8b, 173; Butler 1964, 112; Fisher 1968, 57; Pevsner 1974, 54–5; Plunkett 1984, 145–9, 285; Leonard 1995, 71; Greenslade 1996b, 21, 23–4; Sharpe 2002, 58
