Reasons for Designation
A standing cross is a free-standing upright structure which bears a head
consisting of the arms of a cross, lantern, globe or finial. Crosses vary in
their degree of elaboration ranging from simple orthostats to highly ornate
constructions. Components to be expected of the simpler types include a base,
a shaft and a head. Crosses of more complex type may take the form of an
embellished pinnacle or spire. The most complex have a shaft which is raised
upon an open-sided shelter. Surviving standing crosses are almost invariably
made of stone although it is known that many former crosses were made of wood
and have since disappeared. The main purpose of raising standing crosses was
to encourage remembrance and worship of Christ. In practice, standing crosses
served a considerable variety of other functions. Those erected in churchyards
served as stations for outdoor processions and were closely associated with
Palm Sunday solemnities. Outside churchyards standing crosses were used as
places for preaching, the definition of the extent of rights of sanctuary, and
places of public proclamation and penance. Standing crosses were also employed
to mark parish and property boundaries or to define the edges of settlements.
Wayside crosses sometimes marked routes across difficult terrain and also
appear to have been used as setting-down places for corpses during funeral
journeys. Crosses were erected and used between c.1050-1540. Comparatively few
standing crosses now survive intact. Those originally embellished with
statuary and imagery, particularly on the cross head, were prone to damage or
destruction by iconoclasts, particularly the Puritans during the Civil Wars.
Despite post-Reformation damage and loss of the cross head, Crosby Ravensworth
churchyard cross survives reasonably well and still retains architectural
decoration distinctive of the Early English style.
Details
The monument is Crosby Ravensworth churchyard cross. It is located to the
south of the church and includes a medieval chamfered stone shaft 2.1m high
that measures 0.3m square at its base and tapers to 0.2m square at its top.
The shaft consists of three fragments fastened together and is set into a
socket stone 0.7m square and 0.4m high. The shaft's chamfered corners have
widely spaced individual dog-tooth decoration.
The cross was damaged during Cromwellian times when the top was broken off and
discarded. It is listed Grade II.
Two flagstones adjacent to the base of the socket stone are excluded from the
scheduling although the ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22480
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
