Tombstones turned out to be church’s silver lining (From Durham Times)

Carvied gravestones revealed in Saxon church walls

9:21am Tuesday 8th December 2009 in News By Mark Tallentire

MYSTERIOUS symbols have come to light following the discovery of more than 100 medieval tombstones, previously hidden in the walls of a Saxon church.

The stones, each weighing up to half a ton, carry carvings linked to those buried nearby – including swords, books, chalices and shears.

But some signs remain a mystery, such as a five-pointed cross not seen anywhere else in the world.

Archaeologist Peter Ryder said: “Again and again we found this cross, which is special to Brancepeth.

“I haven’t seen it anywhere else. They remind me of the consecration crosses seen in some churches, but it may relate to some ritual used in burial, perhaps only in Brancepeth.”

The tombstones were discovered after fire ripped through St Brandon’s Church, in Brancepeth, near Durham City, on September 16, 1998.

From the ashes emerged tombstones dating from between 1100 and 1300AD.

Some claim Rector John Cosin, who later became Bishop of Durham, deliberately hid the stones in the 17th Century, to keep them from vandals and puritan reformers.

After the fire, the slabs were removed and stored in Swan Hunter shipyards. Now, following a two-year restoration project, 20 have gone on display in the church, since it was rebuilt at a cost of £3.2m.

A further 40 will be exhibited at nearby Brancepeth Castle.

Mr Ryder said: “Every cloud has a silver lining and this is Brancepeth’s. The fire was a disaster but out of it has come a major discovery.

“Not only is it the biggest collection of cross slabs in the northern counties, but it contains a great variety spanning more than two centuries.”

Visitors are welcome to see the slabs at the church.

The Cross Slabs of Brancepeth, Mr Ryder’s book telling their story, will be sold in aid of the church. Copies, priced £5 each, are available from the church.