The backgrounds to some of the more mysterious and enigmatic features of Manx history and heritage have been explored in a new book.

’Cross Purposes’ examines the features on some of the 1,000 year old monolithic stone crosses that date from the Viking era of Manx history.

Many of the crosses depict a mixture of Christian and pagan imagery telling the stories of Viking sagas and legends and also of the people they commemorate.

The book has been written by author Sara Goodwins who said that the stones still have much to tell us about Manx history.

She wanted to find out more about the backgrounds to the crosses and ask questions such as who erected these crosses, how were they carved and do other Celtic nations have similar memorials?

’"Cross Purposes" is essentially an introduction to the Manx crosses, mainly written for locals but for visitors too.

’I wanted to write something that wasn’t an intimidating or weighty text book.

’One thing I was very interested in was the idea that there may be connections with other stone crosses in other Celtic countries, as similar examples of them can be found in many of the Celtic countries.

’For example, I have found a similarity between one that is housed in the cross house in Maughold to a cross found in North East Scotland, at a place called Fowlis Wester.

’There is a remarkable similarity to each other.

’Whoever carved the cross must have at least seen the other.’

’Cross Purposes’ is published by Loaghtan Publications and is a available from all local bookshops for £5.95, or online from loaghtanbooks.com