Kirkdale

This is a fine example of a Saxon church, it is most well known for its sundial which is situated about the door in the porch (see photograph below). There has probably been a church on this site since around 750 though it was ruined and rebuilt and has had several phases of repair and development since.

The sundial is difficult to photograph but the shot gives some indication of its appearance. The main dial is the semi-circular piece in the centre and the two outer panels bear an inscription which, when translated, is said to read, 'Orm Gamel's son acquired St. Gregory's minster when it was completely ruined and collapsed, and he had it built anew from the ground for Christ and St. Gregory in the days of King Edward and of Earl Tostig.' On the dial itself is written, 'This is the day's sun-marker at every hour' and 'Hawarth made me, and Brand the priest'. The text is said to date the dial between 1055 and 1065.

A pair of stones with inscribed crosses stand either side of the door in the porch.

There are three crosses, originally grave markers from the early church, embedded into the present walls of the church and were probably inserted during the resotration in the 11th century.

An interlace cross fragment is also embedded in the external wall.

Three further photographs show fragments of crosses kept inside the church and, hiding behind a pew, the 'archer' stone which appears to show a bow.


Finally, the item on the left is thought to be either a cross base with drainage hole or some form of quern stone. The stone on the right lies on the grass outside the church and is not referred to but appears to be some form of grave marker.