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Pendragon Castle, Cumbria, England, UK

#England #architecture #pendragon castle #caskte #castle ruins #ruins #castle architecture #british castles #kirkby stephen #sedburgh #kendal #yorkshire dales #cumbria #medieval architecture #medieval #uk #uk travel #travel #travel photography #europe #great britain #united kingdom #submission

The Loki Stone, Kirkby Stephen

The Loki Stone is an 8th century carved representation of the Norse God Loki, bound and chained. It is one of only two known carvings of this type in Europe, and the only one in Britain. We do not know how the stone came to be in Kirkby Stephen, but it serves to remind us of the Norse influence in this region during prior to the Norman invasion of 1066.

We do not know where the stone was originally located. It has been moved several times over the centuries, and for many years it sat amongst a collection of old gravestones outside the east end of St Stephen's church, open to the elements. Thankfully, it has now found a home inside the church, immediately opposite the south door, where it can be instantly seen by visitors on entering.

The Loki Stone

The stone is about 1 metre high, and rectangular in shape. It has been dated variously between the 8th and 10th centuries, but the most commonly accepted date is sometime in the 8th century. One aspect of the carving that I've not seen discussed anywhere is that it continues over the top of the stone. That is, the figure of Loki is on the surface facing you as you view the stone, yet the carving continues over onto the top of the stone, as if the vertical surface was not large enough to convey all that the sculptor wished to show. The sides of the stone are carved with a simple interlaced geometric pattern.

#loki #kirkby stephen #loki stone #norse mythology #aboutnorsemythology.tumblr.com

This morning I woke up desperately early in my tiny tent, clambered into my running stuff and headed out for a short loop around Kirkby Stephen. Twas lovely to run as this sun woke up. All hazy and golden cos there'd been a heavy dew, with sleepy sheep and disturbed rabbits skittering about.