The Cross, Monmouth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 
The Cross in 2009
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| Artist | H. Wall of Newport |
|---|---|
| Year | 1888 |
| Medium | Stone |
| Location | Monmouth |
| 51°48′31″N 2°43′15″W / 51.808574°N 2.720728°W | |
The Cross is a special stone monument located in St Thomas' Square, Overmonnow, Monmouth, Wales. You can find it right in the middle of a roundabout. It's across from the Church of St Thomas the Martyr and near the end of the famous Monnow Bridge.
This Cross is very old, dating back to medieval times. It's also known as Overmonnow Cross. Even though it's ancient, it was rebuilt in 1888. Because of its history and importance, it has been recognized as a Grade II listed structure since August 15, 1974. This means it's a building or structure of special historical interest.
The Cross: A Look Back in Time
Some old records from the 1800s suggest that the original Cross might have been there even before the year 1039. St Thomas' Square was likely a busy market place a long time ago, before the Monnow Bridge connected Overmonnow to the rest of Monmouth town. The Cross might have been a spot where people gave speeches during market days.
A map of Monmouth made by John Speed in 1611 shows a cross in the exact same spot where it is today. However, by the late 1800s, only the stone base of the Cross was left. It was in the road near an old inn called the Green Dragon.
In 1888, a man named Charles Henry Crompton-Roberts decided to have the Cross rebuilt. He lived nearby at Drybridge House. He wanted the Cross to stand tall again in the center of the crossroads. At that time, this road was the main way to get into Monmouth from the west. It stayed that way until a new bypass road was built in 1966.
It's said that Crompton-Roberts had to convince the local authorities to allow the Cross to be put back in the middle of the square. The Vicar of St Thomas' Church, Rev P Potter, also played a big part in bringing the Cross back to its original place.
A new main part, or "shaft," for the Cross was designed by an architect named F.A. Powell. He was also working on fixing up St Thomas' Church at the same time. The Cross was built by William Simmonds, and the detailed carvings were done by H. Wall from Newport. Wall carved four figures into the Cross: St Thomas, St Mary, St Michael, and St Cenhadlon. He was paid £70 for his amazing work.
In 1897, a drinking fountain was put up next to the church. This was to celebrate Queen Victoria's 60th year as queen, known as her Diamond Jubilee. At the same time, a trough for horses to drink from was placed near the Cross. But people complained that carts left around the Cross caused traffic jams and made it dangerous. So, the horse trough was later removed. Today, the Cross stands proudly in front of the church and The Green Dragon pub.
Pictures of The Cross
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The Cross and St Thomas early 1900s
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The Cross and St Thomas' Church in 1888
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The Cross in the 1900s showing the horse trough.
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The Cross and Green Dragon Inn in 2008
