Monument record 1109/0/1 - Sandbach Crosses

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.III p.98-99 (Book). SCH1389.

“…The substructure consists of a platform of two steps, on which are placed two sockets, in which the crosses are fixed. At the angle of each stage of the platform are stone posts, on which rude figures have been carved. The platform and sockets are five feet six inches in height. The present height of the greater cross is sixteen feet eight inches, and that of the smaller one eleven feet eleven inches…”

“…Both crosses have terminated in ornamental circular or elliptical tops…This part of the small cross has been certainly pierced in such a manner, as to give the head the appearance of a cross not unlike the Maltese in form…”

“…Whether they were thrown down by the puritans acting under the orders of Elizabeth against superstitious images, or during the civil disturbances in the reign of Charles the First, does not appear, but it is certain that they did not remain in a perfect state after this second period. Towards the latter end of the seventeenth century, the central part of the large cross, and some fragments of the other, were carried by Sir John Crewe to Utkinson, and set up as an ornament to the place, the figure of our Saviour on the cross, which he considered to be relict of popery, being carefully covered over with hard mortar. After the death of Sir John Crewe, these fragments were removed by Mr Allen to the rectory-house of Tarporley…”

“…the crosses were noted in the account of Oulton Park, where they were then deposited, after a removal from Tarporley rectory…”

The crosses were re-erected at Sandbach in 1816, with further parts of the crosses being recovered from the wall of the town well, the marketplace and from the fabric of adjoining properties.

<2> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 56244 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Celebrated pair of Anglo-Saxon crosses. Probably early-mid ninth century. Original site unknown and probably brought here in late Middle Ages. The crosses were thrown down, either after the Reformation or during the Civil War and the parts dispersed. In 1816 they were recovered as far as possible and re-erected, the crosses being set in stone sockets and placed side-by-side on a three-stepped stone base. The north, and taller, cross has a mutilated head and the south one a truncated shaft with mutilated head from another cross. Both crosses are decorated on all faces with carved figures, animals, vine scrolls etc, and the north cross has panels depicting biblical scenes.

<3> Earwaker J P, 1890, History of the Ancient Parish of Sandbach, p.11-15 (Book). SCH1431.

One cross is sixteen feet and eight inches tall. The circular top would have been approximately three feet in diameter. The other cross is eleven feet and eleven inches high. They may commemorate the introduction of Christianity in Mercia by Peada, son of Penda, King of Mercia, in 653 AD.

<4> Cheshire County Council Environmental Planning Service, Parish File (Book). SCH2587.

Evidence suggests the crosses were carved at an important creative workshop at or near Sandbach. This may have been attached to a monastic establishment and supports the suggestion that the town was the site of a Saxon minster.

<5> Rimmer A, 1875, Ancient Stone Crosses of England, p.84-90 (Book). SCH258.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ76 SE2 (Index). SCH2487.

<7> Radford C A R, 1956, The Sandbach Crosses (Book). SCH3239.

<8> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p.276-277 & p.332-333 (Book). SCH3556.

The importance and parallels to the crosses are described and details of the scenes given.

<9> Capstick B, 1981-1987, Field Monument Warden Report, Capstick B 1987 (Unpublished Report). SCH1222.

<10> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), SAM 23637 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT
The monument includes a pair of lavishly decorated Anglo-Saxon crosses situated in Sandbach Market Square which can be dated on the basis of their animal and foliate ornament to the first half of the ninth century AD. The stone shafts of the crosses are each firmly fixed in a stone base and stand together on a later rectangular stone platform which is itself raised on two steps. At each corner of this platform are smaller stone posts which were also once ornamented but are now much eroded. The prodigious amount of figural ornament featured on the two crosses has generated antiquarian and archaeological interest for well over a century. The larger, north cross, has scenes depicting Christ's progress to Calvary, and an Annunciation to the Virgin, as well as depictions of the Crucifixion, the Adoration of the Magi and the Nativity, and the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. It is 5m high and the 4.8m carved shaft is topped by part of what was originally a circular cross-head. The figural decoration of the smaller, south cross-shaft is also extensive but, in contrast to the north cross, there is little in the way of narrative figural ornament. Programmes of small framed figures fill the north and south sides of the shaft and an arrangement of figures, animals and foliate ornament fills the east face. Only the carving on the west face has been thought to depict a narrative event. This was originally thought to be a representation of the Final Resurrection; more recently this has been re-interpreted to include a variety of scenes including another Transfiguration, an Adoration of the Virgin and Child, and possibly an Adoration of Christ. This cross is 3.6m high overall; the 3.2m shaft is also topped by part of a circular cross-head. This cross head appears too slight to have been part of the original structure; it may, therefore, be the only recognised fragment of a third cross. It has been suggested that the two crosses were erected to commemorate the introduction of Christianity to Mercia by Peada, son of King Penda of Mercia, in AD 643. They were carved at an important workshop at or near Sandbach. Craftsmen from this workshop may also have produced the other fragments of Anglo-Saxon sculpture found in the present churchyard. This workshop may have been attached to a monastic establishment and supports the suggestion that the town was the site of a Saxon minster. The original setting for the crosses is unknown. They were standing in the reign of Elizabeth I but in the 17th century the central part of the north cross and some fragments of the smaller south cross were taken by Sir James Crewe to Utkinton and erected there. After his death they were moved to Tarporley and then to Oulton Park. In 1816 they were re-erected in Sandbach. The monument is in the care of the Secretary of State and is Listed Grade I. Excluded from the scheduling are all modern stone bollards and chains surrounding the monument, the information plaques and all electric lighting situated at the foot of the modern bollards but the ground beneath all these features is included.

ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE
High crosses, frequently heavily decorated, were erected in a variety of locations in the eighth, ninth and tenth centuries AD. They are found throughout northern England with a few examples further south. Surviving examples are of carved stone but it is known that decorated timber crosses were also used for similar purposes. High crosses have shafts supporting carved cross-heads. They may be set within a carved sockle or stone base. The cross heads were frequently small, the broad cross shaft being the main feature of the cross. They were erected in a variety of locations and appear to have served a number of functions. Some are associated with established churches and monasteries and may mark burial places, focal points used in religious services or the boundaries of ecclesiastical land-holdings. Others may have marked route-ways or gathering points for local communities. All examples tend to be heavily decorated, the patterns and ornament drawing on the wider artistic traditions of the time. Patterns, especially those including interlaced strands, are common, some depicted as 'vine-scrolls', tendrils of growth of the grape vine, sometimes complete with leaves. On the most developed examples this 'vine-scroll' is shown to be inhabited by a variety of birds and animals. Panels depicting figures and animals are also commonly found; on occasion these depict Biblical scenes or personages. This carved ornamentation was often painted in a variety of colours although traces of these colourings now survive only rarely. The earliest examples were created and erected by native inhabitants; later examples are heavily influenced by Viking art styles and mythology, and their creation can be related to the Viking infiltration and settlement of the north of England. Several distinct regional groupings and types have been identified, some being the product of single 'schools' of craftsmen. There are fewer than 50 high crosses surviving in England. This is likely to represent only a small proportion of those originally erected. Some were defaced or destroyed during bouts of iconoclasm in the late medieval period. Others fell out of use and were taken down and re-used in new building works. They provide an important insight into art traditions and changing art styles. The figured panels provide information on religious beliefs. The Viking period stones contribute to studies of the impact of the Scandinavian newcomers into the north of England. All well preserved examples of high crosses will be identified as nationally important. Sandbach high crosses are regarded as amongst the finest surviving examples of Saxon crosses in the country.

<11> Ralegh Radford CA, 1957, Pre-Conquest Sculpture at Sandbach (Article in Journal). SCH3880.

<12> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, no.149 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.