Monument record 1781/1/2 - Standing Cross in St Edith's churchyard

<1> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 402964 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Cross, medieval, of red sandstone; the octagonal shaft replaced or recut 1896. The head is missing. The restored plinth stands on a square base of 4 sandstone steps. Locally reputed to have been used as a Plague Cross where food and water was left for those infected.

<2> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Vol.VI (1899) p.163-6, Haswell, G W (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ45 SW3 1976 (Index). SCH2487.

<4> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 30368 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

The monument includes a medieval cross on three steps in St Edith's churchyard. The shaft has been partly restored and the head is missing. The cross stands in its original location on the south side of the church. The steps are constructed of local red sandstone ashlar blocks. The first step measures 2.25m square and stands 0.1m high. The second step is 1.7m square and stands 0.2m high. The third step is 1.2m square and 0.18m high. The base is a single block of sandstone 0.97m square and 0.33m high. The edges are deeply chamfered, a corner has been broken away on the north east side and there is a recess cut into the top on the north west side. The shaft is said to have been set on a small stone base in 1899. The octagonal shaft stands 1.2m high with four cup-shaped depressions in the top, reputedly for offerings during the plague of the 17th century. The cross is Listed Grade II. The gravestones and slabs which lie adjacent to the cross are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath is included.