Best Ancient Cross in Europe

Подписаться 3,2 тыс.

Просмотров 1,7 тыс.

50% 1

Pevsner considered the Ruthwell Cross to be the best in Europe of its date. Along with the cross at Bewcastle - that we looked at in "Ancient Cross. Middle of Nowhere" - the runic cross at Ruthwell displays a level of skill and sophistication that surprises given the late 7th/early 8th Century date and remote location. Both crosses are a long way from the heart of the Northumbrian kingdom.
As we investigate the Ruthwell Cross we consider these questions, as well as the troubled history of this iconic, early Christian monument. Inevitably this entails the Rev Henry Duncan - founder of the first ever community bank in the UK.
This video is entirely the idea of Mr. Phillip Schofield.
#ruthwell #ruthwellcross #bewcastle #bewcastlecross #dumfries #henryduncan #savingsbankmuseum #savingsbank #christian #anglosaxon #northumbria #anglian #oswald #kingoswald #saintoswald
If you would like to support this channel, you can buy us a “coffee” via the link in the About section.
All contributions gratefully received and ploughed back into our productions. Travel costs and equipment - that sort of thing. Occasionally, actual real coffee.
Credits (Where due)
WC21 (UK) Productions Ltd theme tune: Keygenerator - Freesound
Roman Gazette theme tune: 8-bit Win - Velda - Epidemic Sound
For Serious Rambling Hikers & Scramblers theme tune: 514178 danlucas - Freesound
Compendium of Curiosities: Underbelly - Epidemic Sound
Coastal Catalogue theme tune: Just Like Magic - Epidemic Sound
The Time Tunnel theme tune: Micro - Epidemic Sound
Schofield’s Saxon Crosses: Good, Good - Epidemic Sound
The Almanac theme tune: Rush - DJI Mimo
All other music: Epidemic Sound
Main “Broadcaster”: Darren Spratt
Cameras
DJI Pocket 3 Creator Combo
GoPro Hero 12 Creator Edition
DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo
HoverAir X1

Опубликовано:

13 сен 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 101

@tweedyoutdoors 2 месяца назад

Practically wall to wall chortling there, but I did actually learn something along the way! Did anyone else see a popup saying "Altered or synthetic content" at the start.? Is RU-vid suggesting your hat didn't magically remove itself when you set foot inside the church and that was somehow done with editing trickery? I don't know what Phil's problem is with Pevsner, I find that name incredibly satisfying somehow. Always adds gravitas to any architectural commentary as well. I think Mhairi's theory that the crosses mark out a pilgrimage route is very compelling - an early precursor of Wainwright's Coast to Coast perhaps?

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Thanks Tweedy! That’s interesting about the pop up! I did tick the box, just in case the hat sequences caused any problems. They want us to be honest so they can trust us. Or something! Sometimes I sit here saying “Pevsner” - it just sounds so good. I’ve been picking up old copies of The Buildings of England - such incredible work. I quite like the pilgrimage route idea. And it means there must have been more than these two. Now to find them!

@hainanbob6144 2 месяца назад

Loved the video as always although I was a little puzzled about the Phil references. Happy to know that he has retired!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it. It’s been testing working with a professional like Phil!

@tamasmogyorosi Месяц назад

The Hat-O-Mat works perfectly. As soon as the content. Thanks a lot again.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

@@tamasmogyorosi yes a useful new gadget, lest I forget! Thank you very much and glad you enjoyed.

@philcollinson328 Месяц назад

Gordon the Gopher loved the drone work I hear.

@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian 2 месяца назад

Hi Darren. End to end informative joy. 👌 But …… the big unanswered question is ……. Does the Ruthwell Cross have upon its top the missing top off the Bewcastle Cross? 😮🤔 See you next week! 👍😀

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Cheers Andrew! Now there’s a thought….! One things’s for sure, Bewcastle would have a top if Henry Duncan had his way!

@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd And no doubt, also the wrong way round! 😂

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

@@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian yes, and with some added masonic imagery for good measure!

@philcollinson328 2 месяца назад

I liked the 'insta-hat'. I have no idea if the creators of the crosses were the same person or people, but I see a lot of similarities in the designs and can't help but wonder the low odds of there being a crowd of similarly skilled masons roaming the region at that time. Thoroughly enjoyed the second cross vid...was mortified at the blasphemy of tinned haggis! No wonder Phil's been off the telly.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Thanks Phil! Yes, the scroll work and the Jesus are very similar. I don’t think we can underestimate the effect of weathering on the Bewcastle Cross, either. I do quite like the pilgrimage route idea too. Still no word on Phil. Last seen wandering around the retail parks at Gretna Green….

@philcollinson328 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd I agree, the pilgrimage route theory makes perfect sense. Modern marker posts are used to this day to direct modern pilgrims on the correct path (And we have the advantage of GPS, Google maps ect). If marker posts are a good idea now, i'm sure they were even more useful in antiquity.

@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling 2 месяца назад

It's such a shame that he had to chip away at the faces. It is great that he buried it. It's a bit like the Hope Cross, with the top being on the wrong way around. I love the Schofield bits 😂. I like that they extended the church to house it. I wonder where that member went. It's probably in the Rectory under the floorboards. I'll have to look up that poem. Thanks for sharing. It, they, thems.😂

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Thanks Chris. Yes tragic that the faces were chipped, but thank goodness he buried it. I think Duncan did a pretty good job putting it back together, but that cross shaft is a bit ugly, I feel. The poem is great - another light into the Dark Ages!

@janecapon2337 2 месяца назад

I think a whole video be made just of Henry Duncan. What a fascinating fellow! I really enjoyed this episode. Except I wish Mr. Scho…d would leave you alone!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Yes, what a chap he was! People like that who achieved so much with their lives - it’s humbling. Don’t worry - I think the partnership with Phil is over!

@chrish5319 2 месяца назад

Thank you. I loved the detail on the crosses and the Savings Bank. I really liked the lamp stands around the cross, nice piece of design. As a non-antiquarian with no artistic pretentions I would describe the Ruthwell cross as "from the studio of" the Celtic masons (a gender neutral term which would solve your craftsman/it/them issue). I wonder if our views on objects like the cross are tainted by Victorian perceptions. If it was on a pilgrimage route it was probably not "remote", and much of the jewellery from that period displays significant skill and creativity. I remain uncertain about the Phil element. Apologies for the long comment. I did really like the video and appreciate the hard work it involves

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Thanks Chris - glad you enjoyed it. I think your point on the Victorian perception is a good one, but overall, I think Duncan did a good job in this instance. I love that they had to dig a pit to accommodate it. The pilgrimage route idea is quite compelling, isn’t it? Maybe a band of masons travelled the route erecting the crosses?

@MattMesserPics 2 месяца назад

Wonderful, thanks for that! It's amazing to see those long comments, apparently from very scholarly backgrounds, even if their youtube name is @ChristIsComingLookBusy (I forgot the real one). I can definitely follow the idea of these crosses coming in the wake (as it were) of returning Oswald. One thought: If the two crosses are not actually from the same hands (oh, am I clever in avoiding gendering), the creators most probably knew of the respectively earlier work. Keep that good stuff coming, really nice!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Thanks Matt! I wonder if a troop of masons travelled the pilgrimage route erecting the crosses - and thus the similarities in style? Wish I’d used “masons”!

@MattMesserPics 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Now that's an interesting thought! Should one not assume then, that there is more work from the same period and in a similar style along that corridor? What a wonderful investigation project!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

@@MattMesserPics it’s got me thinking…!

@philcollinson328 2 месяца назад

Thanks

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Cheers Phil - you are very kind.

@barryconway 2 месяца назад

I’m not sure that I know what I am watching any more, but that matters not because I enjoy it. Also, dare I say, it is potentially educational content. We’ve got a crossless cross near us. I am certain that they are connected with your crosses, perhaps by Mr. Watkins’ Ley Lines. I’m in Oxfordshire so that would be a cor blimey Ley line if ever there was one. Was there ever one? I would photograph said headless cross and post it here for marvelling at, but RU-vid provides no such facility, so that’s the end of that. Carry on.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Cheers Barry - glad you're enjoying the "content" despite my inability to keep the madness in check. I'd best be careful, lest I jump the shark. Whereabouts in Oxfordshire is that cross - I'm down there a good few times each year?

@barryconway 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd ah. i don't want to start a tourist rampage (cough : Woodeaton : cough) Bit Saxon around there, I believe. Æthelred's patch? @Allotmentfox will know.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

@@barryconway I have never heard of that, so I will pop it on the list!

@markstott6689 2 месяца назад

I have a strong feeling that even if there was, once upon a time, a cross marked pilgrimage route from coast to coast. They have long ago been repurposed into building stone. Whether that was in churches, farmhouses, or defences against the Border Reivers, I suspect we will never know. If it's a remote route that falls out of favour, who will notice a few missing crosses? The first step would be establishing whether a route ran to Lindisfarne from southwest Scotland. Equally possible, I would have thought, would be a route to Jarrow and Monkwearmouth when you consider the links with Bede. Lindisfarne always garners the most attention, but was it more important than its southerly neighbours?

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

That’s a good point Mark - Bewcastle seems a bit off the straightest line to the Holy Island, but works for Monkwearmouth. Very unlikely any other crosses survive unless buried, I guess. Fascinating to think about though! Cheers.

@davidneal6920 2 месяца назад

Good history lesson thanks. 🇬🇧 🇳🇿

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Hi David - thank you!

@philcollinson328 Месяц назад

I wish an England striker had been as competent scoring a 'Hattrick' as MrWC21 was in this vid.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

@@philcollinson328 did England not win?!

@davidneal6920 Месяц назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd we talking rugby football or soccer football here 😂 🇬🇧 🇳🇿

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

@@davidneal6920 any of those would do!

@philcollinson328 2 месяца назад

If you're watching it, hit subscribe ...One of you will be the 2,000 ...You'll win a THANK YOU.

@davidberlanny3308 2 месяца назад

Hi Darren, I certainly like the cross being a pilgrimage marker seems to make a lot of sense and yet these are no mere milestones so maybe they had another use as well? It's a shame they were defaced and buried but it also makes me wonder if there are more to be discovered, unlikely as it may seem. It was nice of Phil to make an appearance although I think it will be his swansong, I sincerely hope you find another cross. I've been translating Sting's hit "I'm an Englishman in Monachil" ready for this evening but the die has been rolled and either Nuria or I will be picking up the bill in the bar tonight ..... Don't forget we have to put the curse of Blas de Lezo to bed "Todo buen español debería mear siempre mirando a Inglaterra" off to you Google ....... translate ..........

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Cheers David - I’m translating now!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

“Every good Spaniard should always piss while looking at England". - is that correct?!

@davidberlanny3308 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Enhorabuena (congratulations) my reply to this was to always make sure you know which way the wind is blowing......

@davidberlanny3308 2 месяца назад

Maybe "piss in the direction of England"

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

@@davidberlanny3308 ah yes, that makes sense now!

@davidhowe6905 2 месяца назад

10:58 The original Anglo-Saxon poem (excerpts of which quoted in runes on the cross) is quite long (c.150 lines) and very vivid, including the (biblical) cross describing its experience in the first person!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Yes it’s fabulous isn’t it? Such an interesting relic!

@philcollinson328 2 месяца назад

Just curious Mr WC 21 ....How far off 2K are you Darren?.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Let me check…90!

@hedleythorne 2 месяца назад

Great video but I can see your cross. GET IT?

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Very good Mr. Thorne! I could see you on The Comedians in the 1970s!

@seanbrady6731 2 месяца назад

Mhairi - usually Varry, rhymes with Barry. Can be Mari.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

I would say "Varry" - she was lovely and did tell me how to pronounce it, but then I had doubts when it came to recording the voiceover!

@philcollinson328 2 месяца назад

Both cross vids have left me a bit suspicious given neither of them have their 'original' cross in existence. Why wouldn't they? I really like the idea they were ancient pilgrimage sign posts, a version of Google maps that Christians later made into crosses. Either that or old Ollie had them dragged away as idolatry.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

It is frustrating that both have lost their tops, but I guess they sat there unprotected for centuries and religious views changed. There has always been vandalism too. Since Gavin Young went to great efforts to save the cross when all idolatrous monuments were being removed, I do wonder if he hid the cross section away somewhere else....it may still be there to be found!

@philcollinson328 Месяц назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Study posh houses built post 1650's mantelpieces, I have a theory.

@the5faces 2 месяца назад

Learnt your lesson re hats in churches I see🤣

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

RU-vid can be harsh. My fingers have been burnt!

@davidneal6920 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd my father is an Anglican Priest. Back in the 80’s I saw him most offended when someone walked into a Church with a hat on. I learned to this day it is frightfully bad manners to wear a hat inside!! 😂

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

@@davidneal6920 I did it by mistake in a video on this channel and was roasted!

@philcollinson328 Месяц назад

I expect you'd be amazed at the ads RU-vid prefix to your vids (Happy they do obviously) ....I've re watched your vid and and the advertisement about holidaying in Vietnam. I lived in Saigon for two years...Ads are somewhat misleading you'd be shocked to know.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

It seems so random, doesn't it?! What has Vietnam got to do with Anglian crosses - I can't even think of the most tenuous of links!

@philcollinson328 Месяц назад

I know commenting and liking tickles it ...What makes a post go viral however...not sure.

@philcollinson328 Месяц назад

Most RU-vidrs who post weekly avoided posting before the England - Spain final...I do expect that did not even occur to you good gent.I like that quality in you...it's honest.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

@@philcollinson328 You are right - I didn't have a clue until later in the evening. TweedyOutdoors alerted me!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

@@philcollinson328 Oh if I knew the answer to that. I look at Mr. Whitewick's numbers with awe and total respect!

@NullStaticVoid Месяц назад

chill with the sound effects. They are way too loud.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

Sorry about that. I do it by ear and playback on my computer, iPhone and TV to check it. Thanks for the feedback, I will try to deal with it.

@thomas05ish Месяц назад

I would put money on the fact that the crosses were carved by men . I’m sure there are female stone masons these days but in those days I think they would all be men . Enjoyed the video.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

@@thomas05ish Thank you and glad you enjoyed it! I suspect you are right about that - although as with everything “Dark Ages”, we know so little in reality. That’s what makes the period so fascinating in my view. Cheers.

@horriblechris9656 2 месяца назад

"without further ado" ? I am shocked and appalled. Next you will be telling me to bash and smash things on the screen. And your question about whether he started the first savings bank could lead to lots of "First" comments. Not from me, I am too slow (in many ways). Nice video, I like seeing about unique items from our history. But I think its time to ditch the unappreciative Phil as a partner. Try approaching Holly, but be careful about it. Don't make any attempts to take her away with you on a trip, that could be interpreted the wrong way.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Thank you! I think he’s going to ditch himself, to be honest - so hard to work with! “Holly’s Holy Crosses” works quite well…..something to think about! It’s a fantastic relic from the Dark Ages - the cross, not Phillip - and I love the continuity of its survival on that site. Cheers.

@AllotmentFox 2 месяца назад

Nothing like kicking a man when he is down is there? Alright the ‘do you want me to die’ thing was ludicrous but he committed the woke sin of having a private life with someone not of his station. I was looking to make sure your hat was off during that and I am glad to see God intervened. You didn’t menti9n why on earth the English were there and why the placenames are English. I would urge you to educate your viewership on these things as a means of boosting harmony and peaceful understanding. If you are in Scotland could you do something on the Picts? Oh and please more on Coccidius

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

@@AllotmentFox the Englishness of the place names is interesting, but this was part of Northumbria - as surprising as that is. Working on more Cocidus!

@AllotmentFox 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Tweedy wants to go for a pint (he mentioned you) then talked about ley lines. We ought to call his bluff. Are you in? By the way your video has a synthetic content warning. Are you AI?

@tweedyoutdoors 2 месяца назад

@@AllotmentFox My family will be away for all of August so I will have even more free time than usual - I know the logistics might be challenging (given the two of you are at pretty much opposite ends of the country) but I am happy to travel to pretty much anywhere in England and getting the three of us together in a pub would be quite special!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Yes I’m in - would be great to meet up. I’m down south at end of next week to do a video with Tweedy, perhaps we could sort something then.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

@@AllotmentFox oh and I’ve got some ley lines content for @tweedyoutdoors!

@MONTY-YTNOM 2 месяца назад

Dump the Phil crap

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

I think he’s dumped himself. Impossible to work with!

@CarolWoosey-ck2rg 2 месяца назад

No need to be rude mate - could have put it better!( Not you Darren)

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

@@CarolWoosey-ck2rg thank you - I do really appreciate the feedback, albeit it a bit blunt on this occasion from Monty! Interestingly, I have dropped ideas in the past due to viewer comments, only to try again later on to rapturous applause. It’s a funny old business this!

@philcollinson328 2 месяца назад

But...but most Phil's are cool, like ancient crosses and watching tweed wearing antiquarian types explore such. Haha... All the best Monty.

@tweedyoutdoors 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Sometimes the friction of having a demanding employer can produce great work - Michelangelo did the ceiling of the Sistine chapel under duress, painting of course not really being his preferred medium, but he was hoping to get future sculpting work thrown his way by Pope Julius II.

@CarolWoosey-ck2rg 2 месяца назад

Oh Darren you are so funny! But that was interesting despite the constant interruptions by he who shall not be named!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

Thank you Carol! What a cross and what a story. Thank goodness for Henry Duncan! This is my first experience working with a professional broadcaster - it’s tough! So temperamental!

@CarolWoosey-ck2rg 2 месяца назад

More mental than temper methinks!😂

@CarolWoosey-ck2rg 2 месяца назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtdby the way, Mark Masterson doing a live stream at 5pm in case you are interested