A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE
The analogy of the Halton cross and others indicates a pre-Norman date, which is helped by the mention of the church of this place in the Domesday Book. Mr. Taylor believes that a cross from Simonswood, which is not to be found, may have been pre-Norman.[1] In the east wall of Ormskirk church is part of a cross-shaft, the exposed face showing two human figures side by side.
At Manchester, in the Cathedral Library, is a well-known sculptured stone, believed to be of pre-Norman date, on which is the inscription, 'In manus tuas domine commendo (meum) spiritum.'[2] The sculpture represents an angel, in archaic fashion, and recalls, as Mr. Taylor points out, those over
Cross in Bolton Parish Church, Lancashire.
the chancel arch in the pre-Norman church at Bradford-on-Avon. In the Manchester Museum, at the University of that city, there is a fragment of stone found during the excavation of the Ship Canal in the Barton reach. It is recognizably a portion of a Saxon cross-shaft bearing a deeply cut and unusual device.
Elsewhere in this hundred of Salford are a portion of a cross found on the banks of the Irwell near Eccles, and a cross and other early sculptures at Bolton le Moors. The latter cross illustrates some interesting varieties of decoration, as indicated by Mr. Allen, in twisted bands, with and without
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