Alfriston Market Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alfriston Market Cross |
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The market cross in Waterloo Square, Alfriston
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| Type | Market cross |
| Location | Waterloo Square, Alfriston, Sussex, UK |
| OS grid reference | TQ 52042 03164 |
| Built | Early 15th century? |
| Restored | 1955-56 |
| Restored by | Alfriston Parish Council |
| Official name: The Market Cross | |
| Type | Grade I |
| Designated | 13 October 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1353268 |
The Alfriston Market Cross is a very old stone structure in Alfriston, Sussex, UK. It is one of only two original market crosses left in Sussex. A market cross is a special monument that was once used to mark the spot where a town's market was held.
This cross is made of a stone base and a tall stone pole, called a shaft. It sits on a brick platform. The actual cross part is gone, but the top of the shaft has a decorative stone piece. The Alfriston Market Cross is considered a very important historical building. It is listed as a Grade I building, which is the highest level of protection in England.
A special permission, called a charter, was given in 1406 for Alfriston to hold a market. The market cross was probably built around that time. Over the years, parts of the cross have been changed or replaced. It was repaired many times, especially after being damaged. In 1955, it was completely smashed by a lorry and had to be rebuilt. Even with all the changes, it is still a rare and important piece of history in Sussex.
Contents
History of the Alfriston Market Cross
How the Market Started
In 1406, King Henry IV gave Alfriston permission to hold a market every Tuesday. This permission was called a charter. Alfriston was part of the Duchy of Lancaster at that time. The charter also allowed two fairs to be held each year. Fairs were like big festivals or markets that happened less often. These fairs were held around the feast days of Saint Andrew (November 30) and Philip and James the Less (May 1). It is believed that the market cross was put up when the market first started.
Changes Over the Years
Most of the original market cross is no longer there. Only the very bottom stone and the lowest part of the shaft might be from the medieval period.
According to Historic England, the decorative stone at the top was added in 1833. At that time, the old steps around the cross were removed. However, other stories say the steps were removed and the current brick base was built later, in the 1870s. This was when St Andrew's Church nearby was being repaired. Some people think the 'cornice-like stone' at the top looks like a "shepherd's crown." This is a type of fossil that shepherds used to carry for good luck.
The cross was damaged during both the First and Second World Wars. Soldiers caused damage to it. After these incidents, a metal rod was put inside the stone shaft to make it stronger. Old photos show the cross before these repairs, and you can see the rougher repairs in later pictures.
The Alfriston Market Cross was officially recognized as a historic building on October 13, 1952.
When the Cross Was Rebuilt in 1955
On November 15, 1955, a three-ton lorry accidentally backed into the market cross. It was completely broken into many pieces. The local council, Alfriston Parish Council, decided to rebuild it. A local building company, H. Wilson, did the work.
Finding the right type of stone for the repair was difficult at first. People thought the original stone came from the seashore. But then, a man named Colonel R. V. Gwynne realized that an old barn on his land had stone that was a perfect match. This barn was at Wilmington Priory. He kindly gave some of the stone from his barn for the cross to be rebuilt.
To help prevent future damage, a strong concrete base was built inside the new brick platform. The metal rod that was put in earlier was kept to make the shaft even stronger. The rebuilding work was finished by August 1956, even though bad weather caused some delays.
People noticed that the new shaft looked a bit thicker than the old one. This was because the original stone had worn down over many years. The builders used the old base and top pieces to help them shape the new shaft. If you didn't know about the accident, you might just think it had been repaired, not completely rebuilt! You can see the difference in thickness if you compare photos of the cross from before and after 1955.
