The cross or crucifix has been the principal symbol of the Christian religion since the 4th century, it was the pagan Emperor Constantine who, after he became a convert to apostate Christianity, promoted the cross as a symbol of Christianity.

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   However, there are remarkably few crosses to be seen in Romsey Abbey, those that exist range from the ancient to the modern.

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   The oldest is a 10th century Rood from the reign of King Edgar the Peaceful 959-975,

It was probably a royal gift to the stone church that previously stood on this site.

It currently forms the centre-piece of the altar in St Anne's Chapel.

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   There is a second Rood affixed to the exterior wall adjacent to the Abbess's doorway on the south side of the abbey, it is an 11th century Saxon Rood of a life-size Christ standing beneath the hand of God. It has weathered the test of time remarkably well.

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