St. Acca's Cross, Hexham Abbey

near to Hexham, Northumberland, Great Britain

St. Acca's Cross, Hexham Abbey

'The modern inscription on the plinth of the tall, intricately carved cross (in the south transept) says "The cross which stood at the head of the grave of Acca Bishop of Hexham AD 709-732 who died AD 740". The cross is worn and weathered, its inscription is no longer readable, and it lacks nearly a metre of the shaft and three parts of the cross-head. But what remains is a significant remnant from the 8th century. To the right of Acca's Cross is a section of another cross, known as the Spital Cross because it once stood near the site of the mediaeval Hospital of St Giles.' [Source: (adapted from) Hexham Abbey Leaflet No.8]