Wayside cross 120m north west of Callywith

Reasons for Designation

Wayside crosses are one of several types of Christian cross erected during the medieval period, mostly from the 9th to 15th centuries AD. In addition to serving the function of reiterating and reinforcing the Christian faith amongst those who passed the cross and of reassuring the traveller, wayside crosses often fulfilled a role as waymarkers, especially in difficult and otherwise unmarked terrain. The crosses might be on regularly used routes linking ordinary settlements or on routes which might have a more specifically religious function, including providing access to religious sites for parishioners and funeral processions. Wayside crosses vary considerably in form and decoration but several regional types have been identified. The Cornish wayside crosses form one such group. The commonest type includes a round, or `wheel', head on the faces of which various forms of cross were carved. The design was sometimes supplemented with a relief figure of Christ. Less common forms include the `Latin' cross, where the cross-head itself is shaped within the arms of an unenclosed cross and, much rarer, the simple slab with a low-relief cross on both faces. Over 400 crosses of all types are recorded in Cornwall. Wayside crosses contribute significantly to our understanding of medieval routeways, settlement patterns and the development of sculptural traditions and their survival is somewhat differential because of periods of religious turbulence during the Reformation when many were subject to damage or partial destruction by iconoclasts. The wayside cross 120m north west of Callywith has a well-documented history and is closely associated with parish boundaries and Bodmin Priory which adds to its interest.

Details

The monument includes a wayside cross, situated close to a slip road of the A38 trunk road. The cross survives as a decorated wheel-head on a length of shaft and stands to a height of approximately 1.8m. It is rather worn, but decorated with a flared Greek cross in relief on both faces with a small hole at the centre. It is first recorded in 1613 as 'Greedetch Cross', so named because it then marked the parish boundaries of Bodmin and Cardinham at their junction with the Great Ditch which bounded land owned by Bodmin Priory. It was moved during road construction work to its current location in the 1970's. Langdon suggested its rather worn condition was a result of the time honoured custom of beating the bounds. It is also known locally as Callywith Cross.

A second cross survives nearby and is Listed Grade II as is this cross.

Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-431320 and 431358

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

CO 887

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

End of official list entry

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