The churchyard cross at Thornton-in-Lonsdale (Gazette, November 26, 'Vicar finds link to ancient king'), is possibly a medieval churchyard cross, set up in ancient times, possibly before the first church was built there, but not necessarily by King Oswald's order.
Until a permanent building could be erected, services were held in the open air around the cross.
The missionary would stand at its foot and preach.
There are several of these in Cumbria, mostly incomplete now.
People preferred being buried in the sunny side of their church, so the cross remained south of the new built church.
The north side, sunless, was believed to be the place for the Devil.
Jeremy Godwin
Penrith
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