conjectured by Bishop Westcott that it may have been part of the shrine
erected over the relics of S. Kyneburga, when they were removed from
Castor to Peterborough in the former half of the eleventh century. A
fragment of sculpture in the same style is built into the west wall of
the south transept. Even if the latter years of the ninth century are
deemed too early a date for the stone, at any rate the style of the
sculpture and ornamentation seems much earlier than anything we can now
see in position in the building itself. May it not have been erected
when the minster was reconstructed at the end of the tenth century? It
was formerly in the churchyard; sometimes testators (like Dr
Pocklington) desired in their wills that they might be interred near it.
It has been usually stated that the stone was erected by Abbot Godric of
Crowland, who died in 941. Unvarying tradition has associated it with
the Danish massacre; its dimensions almost exactly agree with the
earliest records of the stone said to have been so erected. The
cruciform nimbus round the head of one figure leaves no doubt that it
was designed for the Saviour; but this had been recognised many years
before Mr Bloxam wrote.

[Illustration: Part of the Monks' Stone.]

In the north transept, below the level of the floor, and protected by
wooden doors, are several richly ornamented slabs or coffin lids, of
undoubted Saxon date; and they form a series which may be considered one
of the very best in England. They are in their original position, the
spot on which they lie being outside the Saxon church and they were then
in the grave-yard. They were discovered in 1888. The interlacing work,
and other carvings, are deeply cut and in excellent preservation.

[Illustration: Saxon Coffin Lids in North Transept.]

The six recumbent effigies of abbots are the very best series of
Benedictine memorials in the country. Attempts have been made to
identify them from the character of the carvings. But as four are
certainly of thirteenth century date, and one late in the twelfth
century, and as thirteen abbots ruled during that period, it may be
pronounced impossible to name each one. One only, manifestly the latest
in date, and also in poorest preservation (being carved in clunch), has
the mitre; this is now temporarily placed in the New Building; there is
little doubt that it represents John Chambers, the last Abbot and first
Bishop. All the other five abbots are represente