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 having 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 350 wayside crosses are known nationally, concentrated in south west
England throughout Cornwall and on Dartmoor where they form the commonest type
of stone cross. A small group also occurs on the North York Moors. Relatively
few examples have been recorded elsewhere and these are generally confined to
remote moorland locations.
Outside Cornwall almost all wayside crosses take the form of a `Latin' cross,
in which the cross-head itself is shaped within the projecting arms of an
unenclosed cross. In Cornwall wayside crosses vary considerably in form and
decoration. The commonest type includes a round, or `wheel', head on the faces
of which various forms of cross or related designs were carved in relief or
incised, the spaces between the cross arms possibly pierced. The design was
sometimes supplemented with a relief figure of Christ and the shaft might bear
decorative panels and motifs. Less common forms in Cornwall include the
`Latin' cross and, much rarer, the simple slab with a low relief cross on both
faces. Rare examples of wheel-head and slab-form crosses also occur within the
North York Moors group. Most wayside crosses have either a simple socketed
base or show no evidence for a separate base at all.
Wayside crosses contribute significantly to our understanding of medieval
religious customs and sculptural traditions and to our knowledge of medieval
routeways and settlement patterns. All wayside crosses 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 a medieval wayside cross situated to the north of the
church at Gwennap in west Cornwall.
The wayside cross, which is Listed Grade II*, is visible as an upright granite
shaft with a round or `wheel' head, measuring 1.76m in overall height. The
head measures 0.52m in diameter and is 0.16m thick. The principal faces, both
of which are decorated, are orientated north-south. The north principal face
bears a relief figure of Christ, 0.37m tall, with outstretched arms. The south
principal face bears a relief `Latin' cross, the broad lower limb continues
down the length of the shaft. The outer edge of both principal faces is
decorated with a narrow bead. On the north face the bead continues around the
base of the head and the feet of the Christ figure merge into it. On the south
face the bead continues down either side of the shaft. The shaft measures
1.24m high by 0.26m wide at the base widening slightly to 0.29m at the top,
and is 0.16m thick. The north principal face of the shaft is decorated with a
relief `Latin' cross. The lower portion of the shaft had been reused as the
lowest step of a stile on a church path. The base of the shaft is set in
concrete.
The flat tombstone, and the slate headstones to the south of the cross are
excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
30403
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
