Pilgrim Street

Contemporary Pilgrimage

‘Hogback’ stones in the north-west of England

My pilgrimage to the Isle of Man in 2018 and ‘peregrinatio’ in north Lancashire and Cumbria in 2019 gave me an opportunity to see several examples of Viking ‘hogback’ monuments. These are large (typically about 1.5m in length) sculpted stones which are believed to have been grave markers for chieftains and ‘high status’ individuals. They are evidence for Viking settlement, believed to be largely peaceable, in the north-west of England from the tenth to twelfth centuries.  Although examples are also found in Scotland, Ireland, Yorkshire and Wales, this area has the highest concentration of this particular type of Viking funerary and decorative art. (It is also very interesting to note that ‘hogback’ stones are not found in Scandinavia.)

‘Hogback’ stones are so-called as their upper edge resembles the curved back of a large pig but it is perhaps a misnomer as the distinctive feature of the stones is the depiction of (wooden) Scandinavian houses of the time with the ridge of the roof, shingles and eaves clearly visible. The carvings also include animal and human figures which are believed to represent scenes from Norse mythology. However, as these stones have almost all been found at the sites of churches, there is also considerable discussion as to whether they can be interpreted as evidence for the Christianisation of the Vikings. This process of Christianisation is thought to have begun in Ireland, from whence the settlers are believed to have come rather than directly from Scandinavia.

 From 840 the Vikings  established a year-round base in Dublin. However, tensions there between the original group, who are thought to have come from Norway, and later Danish arrivals led to disputes between the Vikings themselves which, combined with growing resistance from the native Irish, led to a wave of settlers moving across the Irish Sea to the north-west of England. However, it is thought that by this time they had already come under the influence of the Irish ‘Celtic’ church and, together with intermarriage, this led to a growing Christianisation of their previously pagan culture.

Due to these various influences, ‘hogback’ stones are sometimes referred to as ‘Hiberno-Norse’.

My photos feature examples to be seen at St Bridget’s Church, West Kirby on the Wirral in Cheshire, St Peter’s Church at Heysham and at Holy Trinity Church at Bolton-le-Sands, both in Lancashire and at the parish churches in Gosforth and at Penrith in Cumbria.

‘Hogback’ stone at St Bridget’s Church, West Kirby. Although these stones are believed to be Viking grave markers, this is this is the only example found with an accompanying burial. This was in the nineteenth century in the graveyard of the church and reasonably well-documented.
Detail from the example at St Peter’s Church, Heysham with ‘orans’ figure and animals. This figure, one of four, has been interpreted as showing hands raised as if praying (orans). However, the scene is more likely to be from the Norse legend of Sigurd.
Fragment in the parish church at Bolton-le-Sands, Lancashire. Part of a small collection of ancient stones in this church, where excellent information is provided. However, this fragment has unfortunately been displayed on its side and should be turned 90 degrees clockwise. However the ‘shingles’ can clearly be seen.
The two very well-preserved stones in the parish church at Gosforth. During restoration work in the 1890s, these stones were found built into the foundations ( dating back to about 1100) from when this church was first built in stone. They are now placed where they were found in Victorian times and presumably close to their original position.
Detail on ‘hogback’ stone at Gosforth parish church. As the Gosforth stones have spent most of the last 1000 years or so underground, remarkable details survive.
In contrast, the stones in the churchyard of St Andrew’s parish church in Penrith are very weathered. They are thought to have been separate, and presumed to have been in their original positions in the churchyard, until the 18th century when they were grouped together, along with two ancient crosses of the same era.