[18] This marvel is related by the Monk of Silos. A quotation from another of my books is applicable here. "Last year," I wrote in 1902--(pp. 64, 65 of _Toledo and Madrid: Their Records and Romances_)--"the young King Alfonso the Thirteenth paid a visit to Oviedo cathedral, and was duly shown the relics and the jewels. Among these latter was the 'Cross of the Angels.' "'Why is it so called?' inquired the king. "'Because,' replied the bishop of the diocese, 'it is said that the angels made it to reward King Alfonso the Chaste.' "'Well, but,' insisted the young monarch, 'what ground is there for thinking so?' "'Señor,' replied the prelate, 'none whatever. _The time for traditions is passing away._'" [Illustration: III THE CROSS OF VICTORY (_Oviedo Cathedral_)] The other cross (Pl. iii.) is more than twice as large, and measures just one yard in height by two feet four and a half inches in width. Tradition says that the primitive, undecorated wooden core of this cross was carried against the Moors by King Pelayo. The ornate casing, similar to that upon the Cross of Angels, was added later, and contains 152 gems and imitation gems. The following inscription tells us that this casing was made at the Castle of Gauzon in Asturias, in the year 828:-- _"Susceptum placide maneat hoc in honore Dei, quod offerent Famuli Christi Adefonsus princeps et Scemaena Regina; Quisquis auferre hoc donoria nostra presumpserit Fulmine divino intereat ipse. Hoc opus perfectum et concessum est Santo Salvatori Oventense sedis. Hoc signo tuetur pius, hoc vincitur inimicus Et operatum est in castello Gauzon anno regni nostri._ XLII. _discurrente Era_ DCCCLXVI." These crosses are processional. Others which were used for the same purpose are those of San Sebastián de Serrano (Galicia), San Munio de Veiga, Santa María de Guillar (Lugo), San Mamed de Fisteos, and Santa María de Arcos. The five preceding crosses are of bronze; those of Baamorto and San Adriano de Lorenzana are respectively of silver, and of wood covered with silver plates, and all were shown at the Lugo exhibition I have spoken of. Besides the Cross of Victory or Pelayo, and the Cross of Angels, interesting objects preserved at Oviedo are a small diptych presented by Bishop Don Gonzalo (A.D. 1162-1175), and the _Arca Santa_ used for storing saintly relics. This beautiful chest, measuring three feet nine inches and a half in length by twenty-eight inches and a half in height, is considered by Riaño to be of Italian origin, and to date from between the tenth and twelfth centuries.