Almost at the very furthest reach of Cumbria lies a monument which has significance for the whole of the English-speaking world.

The monument, the Bewcastle Cross, stands in the churchyard of St Cuthbert looking out to bare moorland, witnessing more than 13 centuries of history.

Nikolaus Pevsner, who documented everything of note in every English county, says quite emphatically: “Art in Cumberland started its course through history at its climax.

“It never reached higher than with the Bewcastle Cross.”

With the Ruthwell Cross in Dumfriesshire, Pevsner stated, “They are the greatest achievement of their date in the whole of Europe.”

The fact that the cross is of national significance is undisputed, and replicas can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, in Tullie House and in Wreay Churchyard, but on the west side is an inscription, the significance of which, has not been noted by generations of historians.

The cross is generally agreed to have been carved and inscribed in the late seventh century with the year 685 finding a general consensus.

It is dedicated to a Northumbrian King Alcfrith or Ecgfrith (spelling is subjective) and is written in the ancient Norse runic alphabet.

However, the language that was written down is English and here is the significance of the inscription.

It is probably the oldest piece of written English in the world today.

Yes, there is the odd earlier English word scratched on an object but Bewcastle is cursive English with sentences and grammar.

Scholars have argued for centuries over the exact meaning of what is inscribed on the cross but they are agreed that the language is English.

Pevsner looked at it in amazement and posed the question of how such a wonderful piece of art could be produced in such a remote area in the seventh century. He categorically states that the style is Mediterranean and similar carving can be found on the 550AD throne of Bishop Maximian at Ravenna and this was possibly made in Constantinople.

What is also remarkable is that the cross, hewn out of rock from nearby Christianbury Craggs has survived 13 centuries of Bewcastle weather.