Building record 3014/0/1 - Blatherwycke/Kings Cliffe Parish Boundary Cross at SP98859690

A standing stone cross located 300 metres north of Alders Farm, on the boundary between the parishes of King's Cliffe and Blatherwycke. It is situated on the edge of a small copse immediately to the south of the King's Cliffe to Blatherwycke Road. This copse is remnant of the hedgeline which formerly ran along the parish boundary at this point, and the cross is believed to stand in, or very close to, its original position in the hedge. The cross is set into a stone slab and stands to a height of 1.15 metres. It is believed to be of medieval date, and is constructed from limestone ashlar. The rectangular shaft has short side arms and tapers slightly to a wheel head which bears a Maltese cross decoration in relief on the western face. Scheduled and Listed Grade II.

{1} Limestone cross on the parish boundary between Blatherwycke and Kingscliffe.

{2} Structure, possibly a medieval limestone cross marking the parish boundary. It is 1.10m high, with small 'wings' near ground level. It was threatened in March 1975 by the grubbing out of the hedgerow. Recorded by P. Everson 29/3/1975, info from D. N. Hall.

{3} NCCAP: SP9896/001-6.

{4} Boundary cross. Medieval. Limestone ashlar. Rectangular shaft with short side arms and wheel head cross finial. (RCHM: An Inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire: p106) {4} Cross was removed from its position in 1998 since it had been displaced by a combination of tree root disturbance, nearby drainage works and vegetation clearance. To prevent further damage or theft, the cross was removed from the site by the landowner. The re-installment of the cross took place in 2003, 0.4m to the south of its original location prior to its removal, to avoid further tree root disturbance. It was located within the fence line around the willow tree.

{6} Drawings.

{7} Archaeological recording carried out at the former site of the parish boundary cross (displaced in 1998). A small excavation located the broken cross shaft in situ. The cross was recorded, as well as its former location and nearby earthwork.

{9} Undated photo;

<1> PE, 1975, LIMESTONE CROSS ON BLATHERWYCKE PARISH BOUNDARY, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN46997.

<2> EVERSON P., 1975, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN51474.

<3> SUPPLEMENTARY FILE, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN51770.

<4> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 4/31 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<5> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G12 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<6> 1975-85, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Series). SNN100542.

<7> HAYWARD S., 2002, Blatherwycke Boundary Cross: Archaeological Recording Action (Report). SNN105396.

<8> Simon Carlyle, 2003, Archaeological Watching Brief: Blatherwycke Boundary Cross, (unchecked) (Report). SNN103344.

<9> Photographs of buildings in Blatherwycke (Photographs). SNN112038.

<10> Scheduled Monument Notification, 19/03/1998 (Note). SNN113001.

<11> Historic England, Undated, North Northamptonshire Inventory: King's Cliffe, BF112017 (Archive). SNN114605.

<12> Historic England, Undated, STONE CROSS , BLATHERWYCKE, BF084207 (Archive). SNN114604.

Record last edited

Jun 4 2025 10:36AM