The High Cross of Clonmacnoise Ireland

In Ireland smack dab in the middle of the country is the historic  monastic community  of Clonmacnoise. Its up at the head waters to one of the great inland lakes which empties eventually into the Shannon. There are the remains, tipped on its side of a fortress, guarding the entrance way and then the  stone structures and graveyards of Clonmacnoise, including several  round towers. In a land with a bunch of Cistercian monasteries, many castles and ruins this community dates from 5oo AD. The giant high celtic crosses are there, and upon one of them are clearly found kneeling norman warriors with conical helmets and spears at rest. This community was sacked many many times, and the explanation for the kneeling pair is that it is a reminder of the violence brought on by the marauding vikings. I take from it another idea, that over time the pious followers of JHShVH, teaching the way of salvation through grace and good works, gradually brought on the conversion of this violent culture.