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Reference
Date 2001
Event ID 583618
Category Documentary Reference
Type Reference
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/583618
A rectangular cross-slab of sandstone was found in Rothesay Castle in 1816, re-used in two fragments at the foot of the stair in the NW tower (1). It remained there until some time after 1903 when it was moved to Bute Museum. It is damaged at the top and foot and broken obliquely at mid-height, lacking a triangular section to the right and a smaller one to the left, but the short faces preserved at the break appear to match closely. It measures 1.78m by 0.51m and tapers in thickness from 135mm to 110mm, but this reduction appears to be due mainly to greater wear in the upper fragment.
The slab is carved on the edges and one face in false relief between edge-mouldings which vary from 20mm to 30mm. The face is filled with a Latin cross outlined by mouldings which merge into a horizontal key-pattern (RA 923) in the rectangular base, itself enclosed by an outer moulding. The cross has narrow oval armpits which form splayed arms, and at the centre of the head and at each side of the top of the shaft there is a roundel containing interlocked triple spirals. The remainder of the cross-head is filled with interlace which is continuous with an eight-cord plait (RA 513a) in the upper part of the shaft. The remainder of the shaft is divided into two square panels, the upper one containing a key-pattern (RA 919) and the other an eight-cord plait (RA 506). Flanking the top of the shaft there are beasts' heads, much damaged by flaking, which are attached to the mouldings of the lower arm of the cross. Below the one to the left there is an incomplete motif which may represent an interlaced animal, followed by a section of plaitwork and at the foot a squatting creature holding a fish. To the right there is an incomplete strip of plaitwork with loops at the sides (variation of RA 551) above what appears to be a man attacked by a beast. The left edge of the slab is filled with double-beaded interlace (RA 574 combined with 568; RA 522), and the right edge has two panels of interlace, also double-beaded (RA 581; RA 519) divided by an incomplete key-pattern (RA 886).
Footnotes:
(1) McKinlay, J, An Account of Rothesay Castle (2nd ed., 1818), 22; Wilson, J, Guide to Rothesay and the Island of Bute (1855), 31. Stuart 1867, 36 (followed by Hewison 1893, 1, 233 and Allen and Anderson 1903, 3, 414) wrongly says St Brieuc's Chapel, apparently referring to the choir of the old parish church which was cleared of debris in 1817.
J McKinlay 1818, 22; J Wilson 1848, 31; Reid, Bute, 32 and pl. opp. p.288; Stuart 1867, 36 and pl.72; Hewison 1893, 1, 233 and pl. opp. p.232; Allen and Anderson 1903, 3, 414-16; Cross 1984, B39; Speirs 1996, 60-1.
I Fisher 2001, 80-1.
