This chapel is dedicated to Anne, the mother of Mary. Behind the altar is the older of our Saxon Roods or crosses. It was here long before this church and came from the Saxon stone church whose remains we shall see a little later on. Originally decorated with precious stones, the Rood was probably a royal gift to the Saxon Abbey by King Edgar.
Above the Rood is a window which shows the coming of the Magi or Wise Men to visit the baby Jesus in Bethlehem and give him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Can you see the star they followed?
Look up and over your left shoulder at the carvings on the top of the last pillar on the left to see some Norman carving. On the right are two figures, maybe masons (builders) and, between them, the huge grinning face is possibly an abbess. What a funny face!
Turn left and enter Saint Ethelflaeda’s Chapel.
