Welsh sculptured crosses and cross-slabs of the pre-Norman period
This thesis analyses and defines the forms and ornament of the Welsh sculptured crosses and cross-slabs of the pre-Norman period and attempts to use the data thus assembled as historical evidence for the period in which they were made. The sculptural evidence confirms the historical evidence that there was very little artistic, exchange between Wales and England and virtually no direct contact between Wales and the continent c. 750-1100, but testifies to the existence of contacts between Wales and Ireland, Scotland (particularly Strathclyde) and the Isle of Man. Sixteen Welsh monuments are found to exhibit evidence of Scandinavian influence and these help to corroborate the literary place-name evidence for Scandinavian settlement on the coasts of Dyfed, South Glamorgan and Gwynedd in the pre-Norman period; the latter apparently associated with the trade route between the Scandinavian settlements of Dublin, the Isle of Man and Chester. The material reflects the existence of a settled society and economy in Wales in the early Medieval period in which craftsmen, some of whom were itinerant, others apparently associated with religious establishments, were patronised by kings and affluent laymen and churchmen whose
Clarke, Jane Elizabeth
Historical monuments
Welsh sculptured crosses and cross-slabs of the pre-Norman period. This thesis analyses and defines the forms and ornament of the Welsh sculptured crosses and cross-slabs of the pre-Norman period and attempts to use the data thus assembled as historical evidence for the period in which they were made. The sculptural evidence confirms the historical evidence that there was very little artistic, exchange between Wales and England and virtually no direct contact between Wales and the continent c. 750-1100, but testifies to the existence of contacts between Wales and Ireland, Scotland (particularly Strathclyde) and the Isle of Man. Sixteen Welsh monuments are found to exhibit evidence of Scandinavian influence and these help to corroborate the literary place-name evidence for Scandinavian settlement on the coasts of Dyfed, South Glamorgan and Gwynedd in the pre-Norman period; the latter apparently associated with the trade route between the Scandinavian settlements of Dublin, the Isle of Man and Chester. The material reflects the existence of a settled society and economy in Wales in the early Medieval period in which craftsmen, some of whom were itinerant, others apparently associated with religious establishments, were patronised by kings and affluent laymen and churchmen whose
welsh sculpture cross cross pre norman period analysis defines form ornament welsh sculpture cross cross pre norman period attempt use data thus assemble historical_evidence period make sculptural evidence confirms historical_evidence little artistic exchange wales england virtually direct_contact wales continent existence contact wales ireland scotland particularly isle_man sixteen welsh monument find exhibit evidence scandinavian influence help corroborate literary place_name evidence scandinavian_settlement coast south pre norman period latter apparently associate trade_route scandinavian_settlement dublin isle_man chester material reflect existence settle society_economy wales early_medieval period craftsman itinerant others apparently associate religious establishment king affluent layman churchman whose