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. Despite having been moved and restored, the wayside cross on Druid's Hill, 350m south east of Bodmin Lodge survives comparatively well and has been set up on a modern base specifically designed to enhance the cross and ensure its future preservation.
Details
The monument includes a wayside cross situated on a prominent ridge, known as Druid's Hill, which is the watershed between tributaries of the Rivers Fowey and Lerryn and formed part of the parkland at Boconnoc. The cross survives as a decorated wheel-head on a small section of shaft set onto a tall modern shaft with stepped plinth. Both sides of the head are decorated with an equal-armed cross in relief and a central boss. The cross was moved from Lanlivery and set up on the modern shaft and base in 1846. An inscription on the base commemorates this. The cross was first recorded by Blight and later by Langdon in 1896.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 252
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
