Monument record 534 - Appleton Cross

<1> Beamont W, 1877, An Account of the Cheshire township of Appleton since the Norman Conquest, p.13 (Book). SCH3837.

Appleton Cross: Situated at the junction of Streton Road and Cann Lane. A stone cross formerly stood on the highway between Appleton Thorn and Stretton. Beaumont suggests it may have been erected by Adam de Dutton, Steward of Blackburnshire from c.1178 to near the end of King John's reign (1199-1216), 'or one of his successors'.

<2> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 58956 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Present remains comprise a square base stone with recess for cross on a square plinth of two sandstone steps. Cross removed.

<3> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, No.2 p.13-15 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

Documentary evidence concerning the history of the cross is almost non-existent, but from an entry in the Cheshire Gazetteer of 1860 it is certain that the upright cross was not present at that time. Photographs taken both just before and just after 1900 only two steps and the socketed top stone are visible.

Excavation revealed the two steps, but there had been considerable disturbance of the stones caused by two adjacent sycamore trees. The south-east corner of the steps had at one period come right up to the metalled surface of Cann Lane and considerable damage had been caused to this corner stone by traffic. Some restoration had been carried out during the late nineteenth century. This was evidenced by the modern dressing on two of the steps, the insertion of square iron dowels or pins ins some locations and the incorporation of late nineteenth century pottery in the infilling under the socket stone and within the stones forming the top steps. The lower step was undisturbed and beneath this, in the north-west corner, a Venetian soldino of Antonio Vernier (1382-1400) was recovered. Such coins were in quite common usage in this country from about 1400 to 1420.

This is possibly a Wayside or Weeping Cross, used as a halting place for funeral processions on their way to the nearest church or chapel of rest. It is possible that the cross was originally made of wood and painted.

No evidence was found which confirmed the supposition that the cross was located on a Roman road.

<4> Grealey S, 1976, The Archaeology of Warrington's Past, p.83 (Book). SCH3046.

Listed as Anglo-Scandinavian.

<7> Lymm & District Local History Society, Various, Lymm & District Local History Society - Newsletter, no. 65 p.1 (Hughes E M 1973) (Newsletter). SCH2040.

<8> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, no.268 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.