Building record 1678/0/1 - The Eleanor Cross, London Road

The Eleanor Cross was erected circa 1292 to mark the resting place of the body of Edward I's wife Eleanor on its way from Harby in Nottinghamshire to Westminster Abbey.

{1} The Eleanor Cross was erected circa 1292 to mark the resting place of the body of Edward I's wife Eleanor on its way from Harby in Nottinghamshire to Westminster Abbey. The route taken was via Grantham-Stamford-Geddington-Northampton-Stony Stratford-Woburn-Dunstable-St Albans-Waltham-Cheapside-Charing Cross; a cross was set up at every place her body rested overnight. Only three crosses now survive.

{2} The Eleanor Cross was built circa 1292; plan/elevation/engraving/photo.

{3} An Eleanor Cross stands on the east side of London Road and was erected to mark one of the resting places of the body of Edward I's wife Eleanor of Castile on its journey from Harby in Nottinghamshire to Westminster circa 1292. Eleanor died 28/11/1290. The structure stands on modern basement steps octagonal in plan; it is built of stone in three diminishing stages. The character of the original termination is unknown and the cross was already called "headless" by 1460 when the Battle of Northampton was fought. The first recorded restoration was in 1713 when a 3ft high cross was placed on top with four sundials and mottoes placed on the third stage facing the cardinal points. On the west side of the bottom stage was a white marble tablet surmounted by the royal arms with a long latin inscription. The steps were renewed in 1762. Extensive restoration was undertaken in 1840 by Edward Blore. He removed the terminal cross and replaced it with the broken shaft. Dials and the inscription were also removed at this time. One of the gables was entirely rebuilt. In 1884 the foundations were made secure and the steps renewed and increased from 7 to 9 in number. The lowest stage is octagonal with traceried sides and buttresses at angles and a sculptured cornice with cresting. The panelling is in the form of a pointed arch divided into two lights; each light has a shield suspended from a knot of foliage. The second stage is formed by a solid square pillar appearing octagonal. In front of each side is a statue of the Queen under an elaborate gabled and vaulted canopy. Each statue is 6ft 8in high with different postures. The third stage rises from behind canopies and is square in plan with a pointed traceried panel of four lights surmounted by a crocketed gable with foliated finial. Although more than once restored the original features still remain. In 1900 the cross came into the custody of Northamptonshire County Council. Illustration included.

{6} The cross was apparently already headless in 1460 when the Battle of Northampton was fought.

{9} John Stone was a monk of Christ Church, Canterbury; he mentions that the Archbishop of Canterbury watched the Battle of Northampton from Queen Eleanor's Cross on the hillside near Hardingstone. It was described as being headless even by 1460.

{10} Eleanor Cross built circa 1292.

{12} The Eleanor Cross at Hardingstone was one of five made by John of Battle. It has an octagonal base of three tiers. The solid lowest tier is decorated with arch-and-gable motifs separated by pinnacles. The arches enclose shields of the arms of Ponthieu. The arches also have continuous mouldings, blind tracery and seaweed foliage to complete the decoration. The open middle tier rises from an elaborate projecting foliate cornice. Four tabernacles housing statues of the Queen are separated by pinnacles and are defined by arch-and-gable overlapping solid gable roofs. The main decorative motifs are cusping. The motifs are similar for the top tier. The cross has been modified and restored several times.

{13} The form of the original top is unknown. The lowest tier is of panelled buttresses at angles and two- light panels with blank Y-tracery. The 'lights' have a flat ogee arch below suspended with a coat of arms. Every other side has an open book on a lectern against a two-light panel. Above each panel is a crocketed gable and cusp. The second tier has four canopies containing four images of the Queen. The canopies have thin buttresses instead of shafts and crocketed gables with naturalistic foliage. The arches below the gables have ogee heads and ogee-cups. Behind the gables is the crocketed pyramid roof of the canopy. The third stage is square and retracted behind the canopies. The blank four-light panel on each side is made up of Y-tracery. The buttresses, gables and finial link up with the missing terminal. The present broken column is by Blore who removed a number of C18th renovations to the cross.

{14} The Eleanor Cross at Hardingstone is built with four stages, mounted on a flight of nine steps. There were formerly seven steps; they are octagonal in plan. The lowest stage is octagonal and 14ft high. Each side is supported by buttresses and divided perpendicularly in two panels beneath a pointed pediment and adorned with 16 shields suspended from foliage of different patterns bearing the arms of England. Alternate faces are ornamented with an open book supported by a lectern. The second stage appears octagonal although a solid shaft or pier and is square in plan. Each side has an open tabernacle supported by slender pillars, which is vaulted and canopied. Under each stands a 6ft high statue of the Queen facing the cardinal points. The third stage is square in plan and panelled, each side with arches and quatrefoils in their points and surmounted by a crocketed gable. Of the fourth stage only fragments remain and these are not original. The original architect was John de Bello or de la Bataille. A series of restoration works were carried out on cross. In 1713 the Justices of the County saw its delapidated condition and considered it for repair. It was partially rebuilt and restored. A cross pattee 3ft high was erected on the summit facing north and south, and four sundials were placed on the upper storey. The west side of the lower storey carried a shield bearing the arms of Great Britain in a garter and crown. Underneath was an oblong tablet of white marble with an inscription; this is now in Mr Markham's house at Grendon. In 1762 a second restoration was commemorated by a shield on the southern side of the lower storey. In 1840 Mr Blore renovated further, removing the cross pattee from the top and two tablets from the lower storey. One of the pediments was entirely renewed and the remainder much restored. All shields except two were renewed. The cresting at the top of the first storey was almost entirely renewed and the broken shaft placed at the summit. In 1884 further repairs were undertaken with the steps also being entirley renewed.


{16} The Queen Eleanor Cross was erected in memory of Edward I's wife Eleanor of Castile who died in 1290. Her body was rested at Delapre Abbey on its journey to Westminster Abbey. The cortege stopped up Delapre Hill where a place was consecrated for the erection of the cross where it stands today.

{17} The Queen's Cross was erected by Edward I in memory of Queen Eleanor. It stands on the east side of London Road on rising ground more than half mile from the town. It is built in three storeys or towers. The first is octagonal in form and 14ft high, bearing the arms of Castile and Leon and of the county of Pontbieu in Picardy. There is also an open book on a desk. The second storey is of similar shape and 12ft high. In every other side is a 6ft high female statue with canopy over her head supported by two gothic pillars. The upper tower is 8ft high and has only four sides which face the cardinal points of the compass. On each is a sundial and inscription, both put up in 1712. Details of inscriptions are given. The top is surmounted with a cross 3ft high which was added during repairs in 1713. On the west side of the lower storey is the arms of Great Britain with an inscription on a tablet of white marble. Details of inscriptions are given. Seven steps to ascend cross.

{18} Paper illustrated by plates showing extent of new work; [quoted in VCH/4].

{19} In 1902 the County Council had the cross carefully examined and measured drawings were taken by W.A.Forsyth.

{21} [Queen's Cross alluded to on p.83] When the cross was erected money was also assigned to the laying down of a pavement or causeway from Northampton to the Eleanor Cross. The cross was erected between 1291 and 1294 by Edward I in memory of Queen Eleanor. It was the work of the same architect John de Bello/de la Battaile who constructed crosses at Stoney Stratford, Woburn, Dunstable and St Alban's. The cost of the cross would have been around £134; this would not have included the statues which were the work of William de Ireland who received 5 marks for each. The frontispiece shows an illustration of the cross in the mid C19th. At the south-west corner of Holy Sepulchre churchyard and built into the wall of an adjacent cottage is a crucifix which appears to be the top of the cross. The design is repeated on its other side. It appears to show the marks of bullets and the writer speculates that this cross may be that from the top of the Eleanor Cross on London Road.

{23} The Queen's Cross standing on London Road at south-west corner of the park of De-la-Pre is less than one mile from the town. It is worn by time and defaced by memorials emblazoning the deeds of modern reformers. The monumental crosses were erected to the memory of Eleanor, queen of Edward I at Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Geddington, Northampton, Stony Stratford, Dunstable, St Alban's, Waltham, Charing Cross and Westminster. These were the places where the hearse rested. Only three now survive. The present cross is in a well selected spot on the brow of a hill overlooking Northampton. It is in three diminishing compartments surmounted by a broken cross. Full description of the form of the monument is given. A cross was added during the restoration circa 1713, which is long since broken. The whole structure is in Early English style in transition to Decorative. John de Bello or De la Bataille was the architect along with some of the other crosses. Alexander of Abington and William of Ireland worked on the statues. All the Eleanor Crosses were erected between 1291 and 1294.

{26} Scheduled Ancient Monument. Late C13th, ashlar with carving. Octagonal plan. Restored 1877.

{31} Extensive conservation works were undertaken in 2019. Prior to work being started, petrographic survey was undertaken of samples of stonework from different restoration phases and it was recommended to use Weldon old stock for repairs. A cover survey with a metal detector was undertaken to better understand the original structure's armatures and pinning in subsequent restorations. The main proportion of the work was consolidation of the limestone surface and statues, re-fixing lost fragments and securing the structure of the gables on the east and wet faces.

{32} Photo dated 1990.

[33} The cross situated at SP 754237 582215 is in good condition as in photograph, authority {3}.

{35} Engraving dated 1775, sketches with measurements, letter re preservation of the cross, notes, photos, another engraving;

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP75NE5 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, Parish Files (unchecked) (Archive). SNN115.

<3> Salzman L.F.(ed), 1937, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.253-54 (checked) (Series). SNN100371.

<4> 1983, Uncertain, (unchecked) (Mention). SNN20247.

<5> HBMCE, 1983, HBMC List of Scheduled Monuments, (unchecked) (Mention). SNN57601.

<6> Northamptonshire Notes and Queries (Series 2), p.70 (unchecked) (Series). SNN2403.

<7> GOUGH, Vetusta Monumenta, (unchecked) (Series). SNN55216.

<8> EVANS J., 1949, Burlington Magazine, p.96 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN56681.

<9> SEARLE W.G., 1902, The Chronicle of John Stone, p.80 (unchecked) (Book). SNN2427.

<10> Starmer G.H., 1967, CBA Record Cards: Industrial Archaeology in Northamptonshire, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN565.

<11> W.J.N., 1984, Restoration of The Eleanor Cross (With Additional Notes on The Restoration of Dante's Commedia), (unchecked) (Report). SNN57531.

<12> Alexander J., 1987, Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200-1400, (unchecked) (Chapter). SNN813.

<13> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.353-354 (checked) (Series). SNN1320.

<14> Markham C.A., 1896, The Stone Crosses of The County of Northampton, p.172-75 (checked) (Article). SNN59901.

<15> Department of the Environment (DoE), 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p.4 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN3381.

<16> Wake J.; Pantin W.A., 1958, Delapre Abbey, Its History and Architecture, p.227-228 (unchecked) (Article). SNN597.

<17> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.358-59 (checked) (Book). SNN77325.

<18> Law E.F., 1864, Queen's Cross, Northampton, p.119 (unchecked) (Article). SNN2404.

<19> Proceedings of The Society of Antiquaries (Series 2), p.69-74 (unchecked) (Report). SNN2405.

<20> SCRIVEN R.G., 1885, The Missing Termination of Queen Eleanor's Cross at Northampton (Article). SNN76639.

<21> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.47+137-38 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

<22> The Society of Antiquaries of London, 1842, Archaeologia (29), p.167+182 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN103569.

<23> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.264-65; Copy in NDC SMR File M47; (checked) (Book). SNN1002.

<24> 1892, The Archaeological Journal (49), p.17 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN15108.

<25> 1953, The Archaeological Journal (110), p.200 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN59424.

<26> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 18/137 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<27> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<28> Richards, R., 2000, Analysis on Ancient and Sacred Ground: Evidence Obtained Through Prehistoric Records, (unchecked) (Document). SNN106794.

<29> Tillemans P., 1720 circa, A View of Northampton from Queen's Cross on The London Road, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN109152.

<30> Historic England, 2018, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2018, p. 61 (Report). SNN111434.

<31> Teale, E, Gayer, T and Carrington, D, 2020, The Eleanor Cross at Hardingstone, Northampton: A record of conservation works carried out from April to September 2019 (Report). SNN112293.

<32> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

<33> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments (Note). SNN111452.

<34> Historic England, Undated, QUEEN ELEANOR'S CROSS, HARDINGSTONE, NORTHAMPTON, BF088117 (Archive). SNN115657.

<35> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/133/1-14 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Mar 31 2025 10:58AM