Reasons for Designation
Dartmoor is the largest expanse of open moorland in southern Britain and,
because of exceptional conditions of preservation, it is also one of the most
complete examples of an upland relict landscape in the whole country. The
great wealth and diversity of archaeological remains provides direct evidence
for human exploitation of the Moor from the early prehistoric period onwards.
The well preserved and often visible relationship between settlement sites,
land boundaries, trackways, ceremonial and funerary monuments as well as later
industrial remains, gives significant insights into successive changes in the
pattern of land use through time.
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 settlements, or on routes which might have a more specifically
religious function, including those providing access to religious sites for
parishioners and funeral processions, or marking long distance routes
frequented on pilgrimages.
Over 110 examples of wayside crosses are known on Dartmoor, where they form
the commonest type of stone cross. Almost all of the wayside crosses on the
Moor take the form of a `Latin' cross, in which the cross-head itself is
shaped within the projecting arms of an unenclosed cross.
Wayside crosses contribute significantly to our understanding of medieval
routeways, settlement patterns and the development of sculptural traditions.
All wayside crosses on the Moor which survive as earth-fast monuments, except
those which are extremely damaged and removed from their original locations,
are considered worthy of protection.
Details
The monument includes the shaft, head and arms of a wayside cross of
moderately coarse granite and rough rectangular section, set vertically on a
small modern turf mound about 4m inside a fence on the south side of a public
road, opposite the former entrance to Cholwich Town Farm. The cross is not in
situ having been moved from the other side of the road where it was in use as
a gatepost. There is no sign of a socket stone. The arms of the cross have the
form of slight swellings, and although almost certainly damaged, they may
never have been intended to be much more substantial.
The total height of the cross is 1.76m. The shaft tapers from the base up to
the arms. Close to the base it measures 0.36m by 0.43m. Under the arms it
measures 0.28m by 0.32m. The corners of the shaft maybe crudely chamfered, but
this is doubtful. If so, it suggests that the cross may be unfinished.
The maximum width across the arms is 0.37m. The west arm extends only 0.02m
from the shaft and has a depth of 0.3m. The east arm extends 0.05m and has a
maximum depth of 0.35m.
The head, which is roughly square in section, 0.28m by 0.29m, extends above
the arms 0.23m. The top of the head of the cross has a deep crack running
north south across its centre and extending down the south face of the cross
for 0.12m as far as a hole plugged with lead and containing an iron gate
hanging.
The cross is Listed Grade II. A fragment of window mullion, octagonal and
neatly dressed has been set on edge in the turf 0.4m west of the cross.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
24816
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
