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Kilberry
Cross(S) (Medieval)
Site Name Kilberry
Classification Cross(S) (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Kilberry 13; Kilberry 14
Canmore ID 39004
Site Number NR76SW 3
NGR NR 70847 64126
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/39004
![Kilberry. Front of standing cross [Nos. 14, 18]. NB This cross is set in a base bearing one or more incised circles with radial lines and central pit, also a shallow cup-mark closed by a plug which fits it exactly (4.5 x 5"). Cross-base at Kilmory Knap is the same.](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/SC01433200.jpg)
![Kilberry Castle. Back of standing cross [Nos. 14, 18]. NB This cross is set in a base bearing one or more incised circles with radial lines and central pit, also a shallow cup-mark closed by a plug which fits it exactly (4.5 x 5"). Cross-base at Kilmory Knap is the same.](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/SC01433201.jpg)
![Kilberry. Front of standing cross [Nos. 14, 18]. NB This cross is set in a base bearing one or more incised circles with radial lines and central pit, also a shallow cup-mark closed by a plug which fits it exactly (4.5 x 5"). Cross-base at Kilmory Knap is the same.](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/SC01433200.jpg)
![Kilberry Castle. Back of standing cross [Nos. 14, 18]. NB This cross is set in a base bearing one or more incised circles with radial lines and central pit, also a shallow cup-mark closed by a plug which fits it exactly (4.5 x 5"). Cross-base at Kilmory Knap is the same.](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/SC01433201.jpg)
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish South Knapdale
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
NR76SW 3 7084 6413
(NR 7085 6412) Cross (NR)
OS 6" map, Argyllshire, 2nd ed., (1900)
The shaft of a standing cross ('A'), and its base with a mass-clock, are near Kilberry Castle. The base also has a hollow with a broken granite ball fitting it (found nearby some years ago). The cross-head is lost; it was replaced in the 19th century with a small crucifix found nearby. This crucifix, not in the same style as the cross-shaft, has been removed to the DoE shelter with other stones.
A small cross ('B') was found buried near the cross shaft. Re-erected in situ, it measures 2'3" high, 1' wide at base and 5 1/2" thick and has been dressed out of an earlier slab, the front bearing a loose design of straps and rings, not centred on the cross. On the reverse side is a small incised cross with a slanting arm line, each limb with a triangular expanded end, which looks early.
A dressed shaft ('C') with rubbed carvings, matching a broken shaft on the DoE shelter, has been found in a low retaining wall near the cross. This low curving wall is traceable round the mausoleum, but may be recent. (See NR76SW 15).
M Campbell and M Sandeman 1964.
The crosses ('A' and 'B') are as described. The shaft ('C') is housed in Kilberry Castle.
'B' - surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (I A) 27 June 1973.
NR 7085 6413. No change to the previous information. About 5.0m to the north of the crosses, Miss Campbell has uncovered two graves and an undecorated cover slab, together with what appears to be the NE corner of a building. It is quite possible that these remains represent an early church (see NR76SW 15) oriented E-W, with its east wall now being used as the west wall of the nearby burial ground.
Crosses surveyed at 1/10,000
Visited by OS (B S) 15 March 1977.
Field Visit (October 1988)
(13 [B]) Cruciform stone of chlorite-schist, 0.69m high by 0.31m across the arms and 0.15m thick, which appears to have been cut down in the post-medieval period from a decorated tapered slab, perhaps the cover of a tomb-chest or an architectural fitting. The ends of the right and top arms preserve on the back a half-roll moulding and on the front amore angular edge-moulding, and the edge of the top arm bears a well-formed four-cord plait. On the front there are two almost complete ring-knots from a linked series, probably originally two rows of three knots filling the top of the slab, but an intrusive angular element below the lower knot suggests a change of pattern. On the back there is an added incised cross with triangular terminals, 95mm by85mm, at the centre of the cross-head. The ring-knot ornament suggests a possible association with the Kintyre or Loch Sween schools of 14th-15th century date.
(14 [A]) Lower part of a cross-shaft standing in its original socket-slab and close to its original position S of the old church. The shaft, which in the 19th century was rebated at the front to receive another cross-head (number 18), now displayed separately, is of chlorite-schist and measures 1.05min visible height and 0.31m by 0.11m at the base. On the front or W face, within a triple moulding, there has been a double niche, but only the lower part of the upper figure survives. It evidently held in the left hand a staff corresponding to the archiepiscopal pastoral cross held by a mitred figure in the lower niche, whose gable carries a cross-finial. The figure, whose right hand is raised in benediction, wear alb and chasuble, but is much worn and no other vestments can be identified. The frame of the niche merges into plaited plant stems above a helmeted rider on a prancing horse. On the back, two intertwined stems enclosing double-stalked five lobed leaves are looped at the foot round the bodies of two back-to-back standing lions. The foliage-pattern changes at the top, incorporating a ring-knot.The socket-stone of epidiorite measures 1.l3m by 1.06m.At the NE corner there is an incised dial with a 0.36m circle enclosing lines, of which twenty-three are still visible, radiating from a small central socket. In the NW angle there is a hollow, probably made by the rotation of stones as at Kilchoman (en.12). (White, Knapdale, pl,8,3,4 and 7). 14th-early16th century.RCAHMS 1992, visited October 1988
