Building record 1624/6/1 - Market Cross at Junction of Station Road & Finedon Road

A market cross at junction of Station and Finedon Roads in Irthlingborough. The cross consists of an octagonal shaft set in a plain square oolitic limestone base. The cross stands on an octagonal base of eight steps. Erected in the late 13th century, the cross was restored in 1923 and moved to its present location in 1966 during road improvements. When the cross was moved the soil packed into the base of the cross was found to contain Roman potsherds, a whetstone, animal bones and a fragment of bone. Despite the reconstruction of the steps and lack of the cross head, the monument is an excellent example of a religious cross of the late 13th century. Listed Grade I.

{1} Market cross. Probably mid C14. Squared coursed limestone and ironstone, with ashlar shaft. Octagonal base of 8 steps surmounted by square socket with octagonal shafts with ballflower ornament and remains of foliated capital. The shaft is said to have been used as a standard for measurement of land. The whole structure was relocated to the west of its original site as part of a road improvement scheme in 1965. Scheduled as an ancient monument. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.268; J. Markham, Stone Crosses of Northamptonshire).

{5} Market cross has not been re-located. It consists of a shaft set on a number of steps in the junction of High Street and Station Road. Film ? Photo 13.

{?} A letter from English Heirtage dated the 22/05/1998 saying that Irthlingborough Market Cross has been descheduled. All the listed buildings associated with this site are, however, still protected. Detailed description of the cross. Village cross probably C14th. The whole structure was relocated to the west of its original site as part of a road improvement scheme in 1965. Scheduled as an ancient monument, but in May 1998 the monument was descheduled. The listed buildings on site are still protected.

{10} Now at SP 94731 70763; NCC guardianship; structure; medieval cross; late 13th century; an irregular octagon on 7 octagonal steps; restored in 1925 and moved 15 feet to the west in 1966 and the soil beneath the base contained Romano-British pot sherds, a whetstone, a bronze fragment and animal bones; the staff was 13 feet long; notes and elevations and plans

{12} Documentary; medieval cross; no documentary reference to the 'market' cross; only references to a cross; P. Moore (27/06/77)

{14} Irthlingborough Cross; Scheduled as Market Cross: SAM No 9;

{18} Two undated photos, also series of five photos dated 1990;

{19} The Market Cross at Irthlingborough is of late 13th cent (a) but a date two cents earlier has been suggested. The cross, an irregular octagon standing on seven octagonal steps, was restored by Min of Works in 1925, and moved 15ft to the W in 1966. The soil beneath the base contained Roman potsherds, a Whetstone, animal bones, and a bronze fragment.

{20} The rebuilt cross now stands at SP 94731 70763, 13.5m to the west. Comprising a socket stone and tall decorated shaft standing on a multi-stepped irregular plinth which seems to approximate to its original shape. See photo.

{22} Notes regarding the cross, drawings and sketch with measurements;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 16/82 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G07 p.43 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.268 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Giggins, B., 1993, The Cross, Irthlingborough, (unchecked) (Report). SNN47636.

<4> Giggins, B., 2011, Irthlingborough Cross, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN107424.

<5> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<6> Markham C.A., 1896, The Stone Crosses of The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Article). SNN59901.

<7> 1983, HBMC LIST OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS, (unchecked) (Mention). SNN59809.

<8> Sharman T., 2006, Condition Report on Twenty-Four Northamptonshire County Heritage Sites, (checked) (Report). SNN105591.

<9> Paul Reading & Partners, 2003, Report on A Structural Survey of Nine County Heritage Sites, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105863.

<10> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP97SW10 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<11> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.207 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<12> 1977, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN50382.

<13> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, Parish Files (unchecked) (Archive). SNN115.

<14> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<15> 1404, SURVEY, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN59810.

<16> POSTCARD FEATURING CROSS BASE (DATE UNCERTAIN POSSIBLY TURN OF THE CENTURY), (unchecked) (Illustration). SNN54330.

<17> Conisbee, 2012, Irthlingborough Market Cross Structural Survey, (unchecked) (Report). SNN108405.

<18> Photographs of buildings in Irthlingborough (Photographs). SNN112812.

<19> Northamptonshire Antiquarian Society, 1964-5, Report And Papers of The Northamptonshire Antiquarian Society, p. 14 (Report). SNN105714.

<20> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 14-NOV-69 (Notes). SNN111907.

<21> Historic England, Undated, THE CROSS, STATION ROAD, IRTHLINGBOROUGH, BF096979 (Archive). SNN114191.

<22> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/160/17,52-55 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Sep 18 2024 11:08AM