78 The Anciewt Stone Crosses erected on the site of an old kistvaen, which he considers is the cause of its possessing more than one name, that of the old warrior, whose remains reposed in the rude sarcophagus, adhering to the spot after the erection of the Christian symbol. This is, of course, possible, but I am more inclined to see in the word Nun's a corruption of nans^ which in Cornu-Celtic means a valley, dale or ravine ; the cross stands at the head of the valley where rises the Swincombe, a tributary of the West Dart. The name may, however, be of modern origin, and with little to guide us it would be useless to endeavour to determine its derivation. Whatever our con- jectures may be as to who erected this cross, or the meaning of the names it bears, we can at least be sure on some points. We know positively that it was standing as early as 1240, was then known as Siward*s Cross, and that it formed one of the boundary marks of the forest.* Being closely surrounded by higher ground, there is no view from the cross except a peep at Fox Tor down the valley. That tor, however, is seen to better advantage from this spot than from any other. The enclosures of a small moor farm are close at hand, the low thatched out-house being built in true Dartmoor style. We shall again pass the monks' bond-mark, but for the present bid adieu to this interesting old memorial of other times. TO SIWARD'S CROSS. Old cross, how many summers bright have flown Since first was here up-reared thy sacred form ; How many winters hast thou stood alone, And braved the storm. Of those who shaped and fashioned thee with care, From the rough block that midst the heather lay, The memory, like smoke upon the air, Has passed away. At morn, when gladdened by the sun*s bright ray, The lark poured forth her mountain melody. Oft has the abbot, passing on his way, Gazed upon thee.
- In the charter of 1204. by which King John purported to disafforest
all Devonshire up to the metes and bounds of Dartmoor and Exmoor, those bounds are referred to as being as they '* were in the time of King Henrv I."
