The Mylecharaine Cross
Date made: 15th century
Description: This engraved silver cross (obverse and reverse shown) was once owned by the Mylecharaine family of Lezayre and dates to around 1400 AD. It has a broken suspension loop at the top, indicating that it was a pectoral cross, or a cross meant to be worn on the chest.
It is made from solid silver and has a carved robed figure on one side and a carved pattern on the other. According to legend, the cross belonged to the Abbott of the monastic settlement at Myerscough in Lezayre and an old Manx ballad says that many years ago, a Thomas Mylecharaine found money and valuables in a curragh in the 1600s. It is thought that the cross was amongst these valuables.
The cross was passed down through the family until being donated to the Manx national collections.
Measurements: 10cm x 5cm
Materials: metal: silver
Object name: cross
Collection: Archaeology Collection
ID number: 1954-4622