Building record 1679/2/3 - Churchyard Cross approx 8m west of Chantry Chapel of All Souls

Remains of a standing stone cross in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin Church, west of the church tower. The cross is believed to be medieval in origin with later additions. There are references to a cross, known as the Warden Cross, at this location in 1463. The cross base is of ironstone, it takes the form of four circular steps of mortared block construction mounted by a square socket stone. The socket stone is of Weldon stone and has deeply chamfered corners. The cross shaft, which is also of Weldon stone, is bonded into the socket with lead. The lower portion is square in plan but above it is splayed to form a irregular octagon with slightly concave sides. The broader faces of the shaft are decorated with oak leaf carvings and the narrow faces are crocketed. The capital is square with plain mouldings and triangular ornamentation on the four faces. The cross was restored in 1919 when a new head was attached to the capital. This modern head bears a depiction of the Virgin and Child on the east face and a Crucifixion on the west face. The overall height of the cross is 3.35 metres. It is Scheduled and Listed Grade I.

{1} Churchyard cross. Early C14. Limestone and ironstone ashlar. Circular base of 4 steps, first step has chamfered plinth. Square socket with chamfered corners has square shaft with crockets. C20 capital depicting the Virgin and Child on one face and the Crucifixion on the reverse is by Temple Moore. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.256).

{3} The restored cross with its decorated shaft is surmounted by a modern Calvary. See photos. [Field investigators comments, 16/07/1970]

{4} (SP 96086852) The churchyard cross stands near the Grammer School, due west of the church tower. It is of the Decorated period, erected about 1320.

{5} Structure: a medieval churchyard cross, erected c.1320, situated west of the church tower and near the grammar school. Cross has a foliated shaft of decorated period and is surmounted by a modern Calvary. The shaft is 6 feet tall and the whole is 11 feet tall. In 1463 it was called the "Warden Cross". It was restored in the 1910s. "Standing upon a large stone the corners of which are hollowed away in the form of seats, its basement consists of 4 circular steps."

{6} Plan and elevations.

{8} Early 14th century. Restored and partly new. 20th century capital depicting the Virgin and Child on one face and the crucifiction on the reverse is by Temple Moore.

{13} Within the churchyard there is an 11 ft high medieval stone cross, erected about 1320. It was known as the Wardeyn Cross in 1463 and was restored in 1919.

{14} Two undated photos;

{15} Drawings with measurements;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 18/55 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

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

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP96NE9 (Index). SNN443.

<4> Markham C.A., 1895, Associated Architectural Societies Reports, p. 178 (Series). SNN13056.

<5> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 236 (Series). SNN100370.

<6> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, Parish files (Archive). SNN115.

<7> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire (Series). SNN1320.

<8> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p. 29 (Catalogue). SNN45409.

<9> BARTY-KING H., 1951, Untitled Source, 18 (Uncertain). SNN55463.

<10> COLE J., 1838, The History and Antiquities of Higham Ferrers (With Notes on Rushden and Irthlingborough), p. 100-1 (Book). SNN71019.

<11> 1958, SHORT GUIDE TO HIGHAM FERRERS CHURCH, 26 (Uncertain). SNN59485.

<12> , 1807, HIGHAM FERRERS (Uncertain). SNN59486.

<13> Foard G.; Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Higham Ferrers (Medieval - Industrial) (Digital archive). SNN100543.

<14> Photographs of buildings in Higham Ferrers (Photographs). SNN115452.

<15> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/149/1,4,16 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:35PM