Market cross facts for kids
A market cross is a special structure found in the middle of old market towns. In Scotland, it's sometimes called a mercat cross. These crosses marked the main spot where people gathered to buy and sell goods at a market or fair. Long ago, a king, queen, bishop, or powerful lord had to give permission for a town to hold a market. The market cross showed everyone where this important trading happened.
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History of Market Crosses
Market crosses have a long history, going back to the 600s. They come from a tradition of tall, stone crosses that were often beautifully carved. These early crosses were common in places like Ireland and Britain.
You can find market crosses in many old market towns across Britain. When British people moved to new countries like Canada and Australia, they sometimes built market crosses there too.
A market cross usually showed the official place for a town's market. This market would have been allowed by a special document called a charter. Sometimes, a market cross might have also been a traditional religious marker at a crossroads.
What Market Crosses Look Like
Market crosses come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are simple carved stone spires, tall obelisks, or just plain crosses. You can see examples of these in smaller towns like Stalbridge in Dorset.
Other market crosses are very large and fancy, with roofs or detailed carvings. The Chichester Cross and Malmesbury Market Cross are great examples of these grand structures. While most are made of stone, some market crosses were built from wood, like the one in Wymondham, Norfolk.
Market Crosses in Great Britain
Many towns and villages across Great Britain still have their historic market crosses. These structures are important reminders of the past, showing where communities once gathered for trade and social life. They stand as symbols of a town's history and its right to hold a market.
Some towns with notable market crosses include:
- Aberdeen
- Banbury
- Carlisle
- Chichester
- Devizes
- Edinburgh
- Glastonbury
- Hereford
- Kirkby Lonsdale
- Malmesbury
- Ripon
- Salisbury
- Shepton Mallet
- Winchester
- Wymondham
Images for kids
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The market cross in Aberdeen.
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The market cross in Bedale.
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The market cross in Carlisle.
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The famous Chichester Cross.
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The market cross in Highburton.
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The market cross in Maybole.
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The market cross in Salisbury.
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The market cross in Shepton Mallet.
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The wooden market cross in Wymondham.
See also
In Spanish: Market Cross para niños
