Aberlemno

The Aberlemno Churchyard Cross Slab (aka Aberlemno II) was produced by Pictish carvers in the 800s.

The cross is very precisely decorated with complex interlacing at top and bottom.
The rear side has a rectangle-with-Z-rod symbol and a triple disc.

Below the symbols are four scenes from a battle--it is widely accepted that this is the Battle of Nechtansmere fought in AD685, which took place less that ten miles from Aberlemno. The Northumbrian King Ecgfrid and his warriors invaded northwards, but were defeated by the Pictish leader Brude mac Bili.

The top scene shows two horsemen: a Pictish swordsman chases his helmeted foe who has thrown away his weapon and shield. The long nose-guard on the helmet identifies the fleeing warrior as an Anglian. The undocked tail of the fleeing horse and the large saddle blanket suggest a warrior of some importance--possibly King Ecgfrid himself.

The middle scene shows three Pictish foot-soldiers standing against an Anglian horseman. The right-most Pict protects himself with his shield and has his sword ready to slash; behind him stands a spearsman uses his lance to protect the swordsman. A second spearsman stands at the ready to the rear.

Bottom-left, an Anglian horseman is at the point of throwing his spear at a Pict who directs his own horse with his knees. Bottom-right, a dead Anglian is prey for the symbolic raven.