MM314

St. Mary's Churchyard Crosses, Magor  

28/08/2002  

Designated  

Monmouthshire  

Magor with Undy  

342531  

187024  

Religious, Ritual and Funerary  

Cross base  

Medieval  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument consists of two cross bases in the churchyard of St. Mary's church, Magor. The crosses are medieval, Cross A stands approximately 29m to the north of the north porch and comprises two ashlar-built steps 2.72m square at the base, surmounted by a possibly square socket-stone of unusual design, some 0.82m wide by 0.44m high, with a moulded cordon and over-hanging top. The cross shaft does not survive. Cross B stands approximately 16m to the north-north-east of Cross A and comprises a large socket-stone some 0.76m square by 0.77m high with large broached (or "bull-nosed") stops. The top of the stone is chamfered with an unusual octagonal socket, off-set to the north-east. It is very unusual to find the remains of two medieval cross-bases in one churchyard, therefore these examples possess considerable group value. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the organisation and practice of Christianity. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. A cross base may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.