Bishop Acca and the cross at Hexham

There is no firm evidence for the identification of the so-called Acca's cross with the cross which, according to the 12th century Hexham interpolation in Symeon's Historia Regum, stood at the head of the bishop's grave. There are, indeed, serious doubts about the genuineness of the interpolator's information. Even if there was a cross over Acca's grave there are no reasons for linking this with the present monument by arguments based upon the find spots of the fragments, the inscription or the decoration. The inscription has been largely illegible since its discovery in 1858. It seems to have begun with some version of the title Alpha et Omega. The second line began with SC, and in what were probably lines 17 and 18 there are indications of a phrase which can be identified with one in the Nicene Creed. R N B