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, the two wayside crosses 200m south of Scorrier House survive well and their decorations are both interesting and well preserved and epitomise very different styles of adornment.
Details
The monument includes two wayside crosses, situated in the gardens of Scorrier House. The south western cross survives as a decorated wheel-head on a rectangular shaft, set into a modern rectangular base. The cross measures approximately 1.5m high. The corners of the shaft are chamfered. One face of the head bears the figure of Christ in relief with his head supported on a bent right arm; the rear face has a Latin cross in relief. This cross was formally used as a gatepost, but its original location was probably close to Ting Tang Mine where it had been a boundary stone between Trevince and the manors of Trevarth and Cusgarne. The north eastern cross survives as a decorated wheel-head on a decorated rectangular section shaft set into a stony mound. The cross measures approximately 3m high. The head is decorated on both sides with a Maltese cross in relief surrounded by an incised ring. The shaft is decorated on both faces and one side with a double chevron ornament and other incised designs. This cross stood originally at Rame where the road from Stithians joins the main Helston to Penryn roads. The cross was bought by John Williams of Scorrier in 1849 for five pounds.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 168
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
