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. Both crosses survive reasonably well and have considerable archaeological and artistic interest.
Details
The monument includes two wayside crosses, situated in the grounds of Trewardale and now used as garden ornaments. Both crosses have decorated wheel-heads one of which stands on part of its shaft with the other wheel being propped against it. Both cross heads are decorated on both sides with a Maltese cross in relief. The upright cross is up to 1.3m high, and the wheel head alone is approximately 0.5m in diameter. The upright cross is known as 'Whit-ee Cross' and originally was located at Whitecross. It was moved to Trewardale in the 19th century and first stood by the roadside outside the house until it was moved into the garden for safety. The smaller cross stood on a roadside in St Breward parish and was found in around 1860 in a heap of building stone by Revd CM Edward-Collins who had it brought to Trewardale.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 915
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
