Percy Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Percy Cross |
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Percy's Cross, northwest of Otterburn
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| Location | Northumberland, England, UK |
| OS grid reference | NY8771793664 |
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The Percy Cross is a special stone monument located near Otterburn in Northumberland, England. It was put up a very long time ago, even before the year 1400! This cross helps us remember an important event called the Battle of Otterburn, which happened in 1388. It's named after a famous family, the Percy family, because two of their sons were part of that big battle.
The monument has been fixed up and put back in place a few times. It was restored in 1777 and again more recently, with new signs added. The Percy Cross is made of sandstone and has a square base with steps. This base is about 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) tall and 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) wide. The area around the cross is very beautiful and is protected as an "Area of High Landscape Value." Some parts of it are even inside the Northumberland National Park. On January 7, 1988, the Percy Cross became a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical site.
A Bit of History
The Percy Cross marks the spot of the famous Battle of Otterburn, which took place in 1388. This battle was fought between English and Scottish forces. The original monument was called the "Battle Stone" on old maps. It was a smaller stone, about 3 feet (0.91 m) long, and it didn't stand up straight. It just lay leaning in its base.
In 1777, a man named Hugh Percy, who was the first Duke of Northumberland, wanted to build a new memorial. He wanted to honor his family's connection to the battle. However, the owner of the land, Henry Ellison, decided to build it himself. He chose a new spot for the cross. This new spot was easy to see from the main road, so everyone passing by could notice it. This new monument was built at a "trifling expense," meaning it didn't cost much.
What the Monument Looks Like
The Percy Cross monument today is a round base made of rough stones. It's about 8 feet (2.4 m) wide at the bottom and more than 5 feet (1.5 m) tall. It gets narrower towards the top. In the middle of this base, you can still see the old socket where the very first "Battle Stone" used to sit.
There's also an old stone piece from the kitchen fireplace of Otterburn Hall that was added to the monument. This stone is about 15.3 feet (4.7 m) long and has a slanted edge. On top of everything is another stone that tapers to a point, like a peak. The old socket stone looks very worn and weathered. It seems much older than the other stones that make up the monument today.
