Historic Photography
Cross-shaft in St Illtud's churchyard with John Romilly Allen, Llantwit Major
This image shows a side view of the early 10th century cross-shaft. It is also known as the Samson Cross or Illtud's stone and is currently inside the Galilee Chapel at St Illtud's Church. Amgueddfa Cymru has a cast of the stone in its collection. John Romilly Allen (1847-1907) was an archaeologist from a landed Welsh family of some distinction in Church and Legal circles. By 1877 he was a member of the general committee of the Cambrian Archaeological Association. He brought sculptured stones to the public with his comparison of Celtic Art in Wales and Ireland. He published important papers on the early inscribed stones and sculptures of Wales making a notable advance of their study as a whole and placing Welsh decorative sculpture on an international stage.
Nash-Williams ECMW (1950) no. 222 / Redknap and Lewis (2007) G66
