(Luke 1:28) The archangel Gabriel seems to be entering at the left of the panel from a space outside the cross. The lower part of
his robe flutters behind him, and both it and his right foot appear to overlap the panel’s left border. On the right, the Virgin
Mary, facing out at us, holds on to her robe with her right hand as she shrinks slightly away from the angel in humility. Both
figures are tall, elegant and finely carved, making this one of the most classicizing of the cross’s panels. The hole in the centre
of the panel may be a relic cavity (perhaps for a relic of the True Cross), or it may have been made at some point during the
toppling of the cross, or during its restoration and reconstruction.
All that remains of the inscription in the border are the letters ‘+ INGRESSVS ANG’ (across the top border), and ‘TE […] BE
(down the left border). It has been reconstructed as ‘Ingressus angelus ad eam dixit ave gratia plena dominus tecum benedicta tu
in mulieribus’ (Entering the angel said to her: “Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women”.)
