Today we saw the base that remains from perhaps the oldest surviving decorated stone rood in England; now forming the base of the font in All Saint's church, Rothbury, Northumberland.
It has been dated in the 800s AD - but note that the wider part of the structure at the top, linking to the wooden cover; was carved in 1664.
The quality of the carving seems to have been outstandingly good.
The East Face seems to depict a (pre-Fall?) paradisal scene of a complex and interlacing tree with animals:
The North Face is of the Ascension - only the lower part of Jesus is visible, from the shoulders; and the Disciples faces are turned sideways, looking up. 
The West Face is a mostly symmetrical design of looping serpents or dragons, with people or beasts entangled - perhaps depicting Hell?
The West Face is a mostly symmetrical design of looping serpents or dragons, with people or beasts entangled - perhaps depicting Hell?
Pictures from Megalithic Portal - upper parts of the cross - with ever crisper carving - were found in the churchyard, and are displayed in the Great North Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne.
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