The Viking Stones
Exhibition
Viking stone - Hogback
Stones in the crypt
With the help of Heritage Lottery and Nortrail funding, a selection of the ancient
stones at St Oswald’s Church are now displayed in a permanent exhibition, which
was opened by the Marquis of Normanby in 2008.
The exhibition displays both the Anglo-Scandinavian carved stones and the post Conquest
Anglo-Norman stones. The Anglo-Scandinavian pieces date from the 9th and 10th century
and are all funereal monuments, or fragments thereof, indicating a major burial
ground on this site. Tantalisingly, among the group of Anglo-Scandinavian pieces
which have been catalogued are two pieces which have been identified as dating from
the 8 century. These pieces might constitute evidence for a stone Church prior to
the arrival of the ‘Vikings’ and contemporary with the abbey at Whitby (Streoneshalh).
The stones which do not find a place in the exhibition are systematically stored
on purpose built shelving in the (modem) crypt and can be accessed on request. The
purpose of Lythe PCC in sponsoring this heritage project was to conserve and secure
the collections for future generations and to provide a display which interpreted
the significance of what is here.
To arrange to see the reserve collection of stones in the Crypt, please call Sue Mason, churchwarden responsible for St Oswald's, on 01947 893308.