The High Cross

Jubilee Square, Leicester, LE1 5YP

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

A C16 Tuscan column, with C21 ball finial and cross. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1184956
Date first listed:: 25-Feb-1955
List Entry Name:: The High Cross
Statutory Address:: Jubilee Square, Leicester, LE1 5YP

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Date:: 2001-06-30
Reference:: IOE01/05245/18
Rights:: © Mr Brian Arnold. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1184956
Date first listed:: 25-Feb-1955
Date of most recent amendment:: 14-Dec-2021
List Entry Name:: The High Cross
Statutory Address 1:: Jubilee Square, Leicester, LE1 5YP

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Jubilee Square, Leicester, LE1 5YP

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: City of Leicester (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: SK5838804499

Summary

A C16 Tuscan column, with C21 ball finial and cross.

Reasons for Designation

The High Cross, Leicester is listed for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as an important survival from the city’s C16 covered market building, once at the heart of post-medieval Leicester; * despite some restoration following damage in 2015 the cross retains a significant proportion of its historic fabric.

History

Leicester High Cross was originally one of eight columns supporting a domed building at the junction of High Street and Highcross Street, in the medieval heart of the city. The building, also known as High Cross, was constructed in 1577 to provide shelter for market traders but by 1773 the structure was in poor condition and was demolished to allow greater room for carriages to pass.

One column from the building was saved and re-erected in isolation, initially in the location of the demolished building. It was moved in 1836 to stand at The Crescent on King Street. It was subsequently moved again, in the C20, to a residential garden, before moving to the rear of Newarke Houses Museum.

In the late-C20 the column was relocated to Market Place and stood there until 2014 when it was moved to its current position in Jubilee Square, close to the location of the original High Cross covered market building. During this final relocation, the column was mounted on a new plinth, with three stepped base below.

In 2015 the ball finial and cross which stood at the top of the column were damaged during construction works. The finial and cross were later additions to the C16 column and appear to be replicas of the finial and cross which originally topped the High Cross covered market. A new ball finial was subsequently installed, with the gilded cross repaired and reattached.

Details

A C16 Tuscan column, with C21 ball finial and cross.

MATERIALS: constructed of limestone with gilded cross.

DESCRIPTION: a Tuscan column with plinth standing on a three-stepped base. A ball finial stands above the column and supports a gilded Latin cross pattée.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 188748
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Websites
Leicester High Cross, accessed 30 July 2020 from https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/leicestershire/leicester/high-cross.htm

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.