I don't think they needed to - they were (and are) incised.
For example, we have here the presumed high altar stone from
Byland (Cistercian) Abbey: the 5 crosses are deeply incised, and
the stone is still stained (apparently) by the oil used at the
consecration. It is one of the reasons for identifying the stone
for what it is.
So also the consecration points on the walls. Whether there were
explicit rules about it I know not, but I can't imagine that any
normal medieval ecclesiastic will have missed the opportiunity to
make some if none could be cited...
a.c.
>I have read that consecration crosses must be made on stone
>and that if a church is made of some other material, stone
>plaques must be inserted for the purpose. Also, that the
>crosses must be redrawn over any subsequent layers of paint
>or plaster. Did these rules apply in medieval
>times?
>
>Laura Jacobus
>
>
>
Anselm Cramer OSB
Monastery Librarian
Ampleforth Abbey, York
GB - YO6 4EN
[log in to unmask]
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|