Cross 132[105] Joalf's Cross at Kirk Michael
Joalf's Cross at Kirk Michael 132[105]
This well documented cross was referred to by Bishop Wilson in the mid-eighteenth century. A further note appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine in 1798 stating that "It is elevated upon three stone steps before the gates of Kirk Michael, having been removed from a field, where it formerly stood, near the Bishop's court". William Kinnebrook, in 1841, noted this large cross-slab standing by the roadside in the village of Kirk Michael close to the northern corner of the churchyard. By 1850 it was said to have been placed on the horse block in front of the church gates at Michael. Possibly, the horse block and the "three stone steps" mentioned in 1798 are one and the same.
Joalf's cross, along with the other Michael crosses, was installed in 1907 in the shelter of the lychgate, newly built for this purpose, at the entrance to the churchyard. The wanderings of this cross finally ceased when the Michael crosses were more recently moved to the interior of the church itself. During the move it was noted that Joalf's cross-slab measured eleven feet in length of which around seven feet was above ground level.
The description in Mrs Richards' "The Manx Crosses Illuminated " reads -
"Standing over eight feet in height, twenty inches wide and varying between five and seven inches in thickness, this cross is very well decorated on both sides and also on both edges. It is a fine example of the coming together of the two cultures, Norse and Christian, depicting Norse Saga themes on crosses highly decorated with plaiting and double ring chains".
The runic inscription is translated as JOALF SON OF THOROLF THE RED ERECTED THIS CROSS TO THE MEMORY OF FRITHA HIS MOTHER.