Pictish cross-slab within the cathedral precinct in Elgin; found
near St Giles in the High Street. A Christian cross on the farther side of the Elgin
Class II Pictish stone emphasizes the importance
of Christianity within the Pictish royal house at the time of its carving (c.AD8th
century). The simple 'double-disc & Z-rod' and 'crescent & V-rod' of earlier Class
I stones have now become heavily interlaced with Christian knotwork and the lowest panel
depicts the royal pursuit of hunting with hounds & falcon - a clear message to the
Pictish people that Christianity is endorsed by their king.
Compare with the blatant Christian iconography of nearby Sueno's
Stone at Forres a so-called 'class III' stone, but the monolith was probably
commissioned by the Scots royal house
in the years following takeover by Kenneth MacAlpin mid-9th century. It has storytelling
panels on its obverse face depicting the downfall of the Pictish kingdom
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