THE CHURRCHYARD YEW

The remains of this ancient yew tree stand in the churchyard of  St Peter’s at Hartshead (West Yorkshire, UK). It’s not far from the generally accepted last resting place of Robin Hood at Kirklees Priory. Association of ideas has therefore given rise to the story that the shafts for the outlaw’s arrows came from this tree. It’s just about plausible. According to the Woodland Trust yew trees can live for up to 3,000 years though 1, 500 is more likely.

As far as I am aware, no attempt has been made to date the tree by modern scientific methods. It might be possible through radio-carbon dating or dendrochronology (tree ring dating). But let’s assume for a moment that the age of the tree is towards the upper limit of the range given by the Woodland Trust. That would mean it was there before the church. St Peter’s was much ‘restored’ by the Victorians but elements of a Romanesque building still remain. And, of course, there could have been an earlier foundation now lost to us.

All of which offers up the tantalising idea that the church is situated where it is because the site was sacred before the coming of Christianity. Early missionaries to this country were advised not to break down the shrines of the pagans but to adopt them for Christian worship.

There may also be a clue in the name of the settlement itself. The Survey of English Place Names notes that Hartshead might be a reference to “the ancient Germanic custom of setting up the head of a sacrificed animal on a stake”. It then goes on to dismiss the idea as unlikely preferring a more mundane etymology to mean ‘deer’s hill’.

I’m not so sure. What do you think?

References

Woodland Trust

Survey of English Place Names

THE WALTON CROSS

These are images of the Walton Cross near Hartshead (West Yorkshire, UK). Everyone seems to agree that it’s the base of an Anglian High Cross. The style of the carving suggests Scandinavian influence.  That would put the date of its creation around 900 CE.

What people don’t seem to agree on is what the original purpose of the cross would have been. Could it, for example, have been set up here to commemorate a now forgotten battle? Or is it, perhaps, a grave marker? That seems hardly likely. No Anglian graves have been found in the vicinity. Could it be a churchyard cross? That’s unlikely too. The present Hartshead church is a 5–10-minute walk away.

Whatever the reason for its erection, the Walton Cross must have been an impressive sight. Only the base survives now, looking rather worn and sad after over a thousand years of exposure to the elements. It would have been different in its heyday. The full height of the cross could have been twelve or fifteen feet. And it wouldn’t have been the greyish object we see today. The Anglo-Saxons painted their stonework. How else could they distinguish the intricacies of all that scroll work? The missing cross shaft may have had figures of saints with glass insets for their eyes.

Given its site overlooking Calderdale, it must have been visible for miles shining and glittering in the sun. Was it therefore intended as a symbol of power.? The Christians are here and you’d better not forget it…

Medieval Churches of West Yorkshire: Todmorden

At first sight  you might think that the Church of St Mary  (Todmorden, UK) started life as a 19^th century ‘preaching box’ but you’d be wrong. Go around the back and look at the base of the tower. The bottom story probably dates to the late medieval/Tudor period.

The church started life as a chapel of ease for the parish of Rochdale. However, it was remodelled by Anthony Crossley in 1770 which disguised its earlier origins. The chancel was added in 1896.