Monument record 2314/1 - Headless Cross, Leighton

<1> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Evans J 1991 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Two possible early cross base stones found during fieldwork at Ashfield Hall Farm, Leighton. The fragmentary sandstone bases were in use as a soakaway cover in a field south of Ashfield Hall. Three fragments were visible. The largest was 1.55m long by 880mm wide, with a shallow rectangular socket, 550mm by at least 580mm, cut into its face and with an adjacent slot, possibly for a brace. Another was rectangular, 1.13m long by 740mm wide with a socket at least 550mm square cut into its face and with an adjacent slot. The third was 800mm square with a socket at least 620mm square cut into its face.

<2> Unknown, 1581, Survey of Leighton Manor Mostyn Papers, /No 6070 (Book). SCH2999.

It may be the remains of the Headless Cross which appears in several field-names in local maps and documents.

<3> Unknown, 1732, Leighton Estate Map, o (Maps and Plans). SCH1884.

<4> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, 1847 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

<5> Cheshire County Council, 1992-1995, Cheshire Past, 3/18 Evans J 1994 (Newsletter). SCH870.

Stones do not fit together & may therefore represent finds from 2 cross bases or the rebuild of a single cross. Term 'headless cross' may refer to pre- Christian monoliths which were never cruciform

<6> Chester Archaeology, 1993, Ashfield Hall Farm, Archaeological Audit. (Client Report). SCH4150.

In 1993 an archaeological desk-based assessment was undertaken at Ashfield Hall Farm to investigate the origins of the Hall and estate. On a visit to the farmyard on 12/05/93 five, not three, fragments of sandstone were observed (SJ 2927 7929). The recess in the base of the potential cross or boundary stone was of rectangular or square section.