Along with 12th century runes at Carlisle, Conishead Priory, and Pennington, Bridekirk hints at Scandinavian culture lingering along the Cumbrian coast, despite changing nature of 12th century English society, perhaps due to sea links with IoM, Dublin, Isles and further north where Norse continued.
Reposted from
Clare Downham
Bridekirk is an Old Norse name = Brigit (an Irish saint) + kirkja (‘church’). The 12th century font is carved with figurative scenes, vegetation and mythical beasts. A Middle English text identifies the mason Rikard, incised in a mixture of Roman letters and Norse inspired runes #medieval #cumbria
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