Building record 1679/1/1 - Higham Ferrers Market Cross

A market cross thought to date to the late 13th century or early 14th century. It originally stood on a steep flight of steps but these have been covered to form a plinth. Scheduled.

{1} Market Cross. Probably C14th. Squared coursed limestone and ironstone and limestone ashlar. Conical base with one step. Octagonal ashlar shaft with ballflower decoration to capital. Iron frame similar to tripod links base and shafts. The conical base replaced the original steps. Scheduled as an ancient monument.

{2} Market Cross probably 14th century. Scheduled as a market cross.

{4} Market Cross. The market cross which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument is still located in the market square. Film , photo 11,12.

{5} A late 13th century market cross, suggested as being erected circa 1280, still stands on the north eastern part of the market place. It is 14 ft high and consists of a stone shaft with foliated capital, the shaft on a conical base which probably encases earlier steps. In circa 1720 the shaft was surmounted by a small stone cube carved with the crucifixion, but by 1901 this had been replaced by a weather vane which in turn was lost in the 20th cenutry.

{6} HIGHAM MARKET CROSS; SCHEDULED:SAM NO.8.

{8} Two undated photos.

{9} The restored cross has a conical stone base instead of steps and the shaft is supported by iron braces. See photos.

{10} Drawing with measurements;

Historic England, Undated, The Market Cross, Higham Ferrers (Archive). SNN115636.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 20/62 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G07 p.32 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.256 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<5> Foard G.; Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Higham Ferrers (Medieval - Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100543.

<6> 1983, HBMC LIST OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS, (unchecked) (Mention). SNN46568.

<7> Markham C.A., 1896, The Stone Crosses of The County of Northampton, p. 178-9 (Article). SNN59901.

<8> Photographs of buildings in Higham Ferrers (Photographs). SNN115452.

<9> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 16-JUL-70 (Notes). SNN111541.

<10> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/149/6 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Sep 11 2024 12:02PM