Wirksworth (Derbyshire)
	OS Grid Ref: SK 28775 53950 53º04’55.16”N 1º34’18.79”W

Outside the Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth, the shaft of a mediaeval cross still stands on what seems to be the base of a much older cross - though the base itself is not ornamented in any way. Within the church building, a collection of Saxon-age stones are built into the walls of the church, testifying to the existence of a very ancient church foundation. Although the main fabric of the building is mediaeval, local tradition has always maintained that the first church was founded in the year 653; ever since 1820 there has been conclusive evidence that a church was flourishing here before the year 692. The collection of Saxon stones is great in both quantity and quality.

This is a Saxon grave-lid that was discovered in the chancel of the church during rebuilding in 1820.
It has come to be known as the Wirksworth Stone. Beneath it was the well-preserved skeleton
of a tall man, believed to be Betti, a monk who came to Wirksworth in the year 653, and was the founder
and first priest of this church. (March 2001)

Bede, in his Ecclesiastical history of the English People, says Peada, who was the son of the pagan king Penda of Mercia, wanted to marry Alchfled, daughter of the Christian king Oswiu of Northumbria. Oswiu agreed, on condition that he became a Christian. On hearing the gospel, he willingly converted. Bede says that Peada was baptised at a village called At-Wall, which may be Walton, near Newcastle. An interesting local tradition independent of Bede suggests that the baptism took place at Sandbach.

Alchfled came south with four priests in 653; their names were Adda, Betti, Cedd and Diuma. That was the start of the Christian mission to Mercia. Diuma became bishop of the Mercians and Middle Angles, settling at the Mercian capital, Repton. Cedd was soon recalled to Northumberland, and was to have a later mission to East Anglia. Tradition says Betti founded the church at Wirksworth. It is not clear what happened to Adda.

The date of Betti's death is not recorded, but it is eminently possible that he was buried beneath the Wirksworth Stone. The upper register of the carvings includes a crucified lamb, which of course represents Jesus, "the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world". Christian iconography has always had the purpose of communicating the truth of the Gospel, but in the seventh century, people were not as literate as they are today, and some Christian leaders were worried that a representation of a crucified lamb might mislead some people into thinking that it really was a lamb, rather than a man who was crucified. This was one of the matters discussed at a Christian Council held in Constantinople" in 692; they issued a canon or church law, that banned such artistic representations. Thus, this stone must have been carved either before 692 or else in defiance of canon law, which seems much less likely. Everything about this artefact is consistent with it having been the cover of Betti's grave - an exciting confirmation that Bede and others who documented Anglo-Saxon history were recording real facts, real events and the activities of real people.

		The Wirksworth Stone is by no means the only Saxon-age relic in the Church. In various locations around the walls, there are little collections of carved stones built into the walls, such as this collection (left) from near the north door. In a few places, there are single carved stones, such as this delightful representation (below) of Adam and the serpent from the Garden of Eden. (All photos March 2001)
	Another of the glories of the church is the stained glass - such as this window (left). Then there are the mediaeval tombs of famous local people, and the mediaeval tiles on the floor. But do not get the idea that this is a museum: it is a vibrant and faithful modern worshipping community that continues to meet to worship God as they and their predecessors have done ever since the Gospel was brought here in the year 653.
As well as all the things inside the church, this mediaeval cross-shaft (right) is standing in a corner of the churchyard on a base that appears somewhat older, and may also be of Saxon Age - perhaps it is the base of the first preaching cross erected here, which may therefore be the oldest relic at the site.

There are several locations in the area surrounding Ashbourne with pre-Norman remains. 
Some are crosses or cross fragments, whilst at Wirksworth there is a splendid grave-lid and various other fragments.
The landscape in the area covered by this map consists of steep hills and deep valleys. 
Expect some sharp bends on the smaller roads that pass over the hills!
Clicking on the relevant cross(es) above should take you to the appropriate page at this website
(assuming that the page has been prepared).

Acknowledgement: I'd like to thank the Rector of Ashbourne, whose church also houses Saxon fragments, for telling me all about the wonders of Wirksworth. (Because there isn't actually a cross at Wirksworth, it doesn't appear in my sources of information!)

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