Information for record number MWA535:
Findspot - Medieval ivory Tau Cross, Alcester.

Summary Findspot - the head of a Medieval Tau Cross carved in ivory was found on the west side of the High Street, Alcester.
What Is It?  
Type: Findspot
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Alcester
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 08 57
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Head of a Tau Cross, in ivory, carved with foliage and figures. Found at Alcester in 1873. Dated variously to the 10th, 11th or 12th century. Now in the British Museum and illustrated in their catalogue.
2 Abbatial walrus ivory crozier of considerable beauty dug up here in 1873. Of tau Cross form it is assigned by some authorities to the 10th century on account of the style of the foliage but others favour a later date and this is supported by the excellent treatment of St Michael which would place it in late 11th or 12th century.
3 Late Saxon.
4 Fully described and illustrated.
5 This was originally laid with gold and perhaps gems. On one side is the crucifixion, on the other Christ trampling the beasts (Psalm 91).
6 Noted, similar to
1. Contains details of further references.
7 Now on the British Museum online catalogue, with additional references.
8 Online references
 
Sources
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Archaeologia
Author/originator: Read C
Date: 1902
Page Number: 407-12
Volume/Sheet: 58
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Late Saxon and Viking Art
Author/originator: Kendrick
Date:
Page Number: 45
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Alcester Notes
Author/originator: W A Seaby
Date: 1954
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: British Museum Online Catalogue
Author/originator: British Museum
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 57NW18
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1956
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 57NW18
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Note on Anglo-Saxon Material
Author/originator: Unknown
Date: Unknown
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Note on AS Material
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: WM
Author/originator: WAS
Date:
Page Number: No 72
Volume/Sheet: Map and Notes
   
Source No:
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Tau cross head, printout from the British Museum online catalogue
Author/originator: British Museum
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Tau cross head, printout from the British Museum online catalogue
Author/originator: British Museum
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source Archaeologia Archaeologia, a journal published by the Society of Antiquaries of London. The journals contain articles relating to the archaeology of Britain and Europe. Recent copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
source WM Warwickshire Museum Aerial Photograph Collection. A collection of oblique and vertical aerial photographs and taken by various organisations and individuals, including the Royal Airforce, The Potato Board, Warwickshire Museum. The collection is held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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monument FINDSPOT * The approximate location at which stray finds of artefacts were found. Index with object name. back
monument MUSEUM * A building, group of buildings or space within a building, where objects of value such as works of art, antiquities, scientific specimens, or other artefacts are housed and displayed. back
monument CROSS * A free-standing structure, in the form of a cross (+), symbolizing the structure on which Jesus Christ was crucified and sacred to the Christian faith. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record