Monument record 1160/146/1 - Market Cross, Northampton Market Square

Market cross erected in 1535 and largely destroyed by the fire of 1675. Some remains appear to have survived until about 1780 when a stone obelisk was erected.

{1}W.Bownde in 1535 bequethed to making of cross in market place & also making & mending highway in St James End from cross at Mr.Chauntrell's house into road to Dallington Cross;,

{2} Market Cross in Northampton was erected same year as bequest made ie.1535 & described by Lee in his history of Northampton; 8 large stones were set into ground about 2ft high cut & carved; upon them 8 large pillars of carved timber were erected to support roof; in centre were 3 steps or rounds of stone to sit upon & to go up into lantern chamber where utensils belonging to market were lodged; whole cross was covered with lead & lantern glazed; diameter of cross large enough to allow for people to walk round roof outside lantern; whole was set out & ornamented with branches of lead; cross was destroyed in fire of 1675;

<1> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.160 (checked) (Extract). SNN1080.

<2> MS.TOP.NORTHANTS.C.9.F.94, (unchecked) (Document). SNN48706.

<3> Thompson, B, 1914, The central ornaments of the Northampton Market Square (Article). SNN111878.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2020 2:46PM