This cross base was another interesting find in Huntington. I have passed this several times before and never noticed it, since the corner where it is located is rather dangerous and it is necessary to keep an eye on the traffic.
It is located on the street called 'The Old Village' on the corner of the lane that runs down to the village church. It's history is shrouded in mystery, but it is thought that the cross that it used to display dates back to medieval times. Its purpose is not known - sometimes such a cross would have been where people met for open air church meetings, but since Huntington has had a church quite close to this cross for almost 1000 years that seems unlikely. They can also be where a market was held, although I have never heard of a market being held in Huntington.
So a bit of a mystery, but whatever the reason for its creation, someone worked hard to make it, and it is quite impressive that it has survives for some 500 years.
Sorry for the late post, but Katharine and I had a day out at the coast today, but more of that in future posts.
Interesting find, I hope you figure out what it was used for. Amazing something can sit for over 500 years with people walking by and not know it’s history.
I hope you guys had a fantastic day out :)
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
I'm now wondering if this was a preaching cross. The original access to the village church would be by a ford over the River Foss, and there would have been times when it would have been impossible to cross due to flood water. Perhaps the church met in the open air by this cross at those times.
I hope you guys had a fantastic day out :)
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
I'm now wondering if this was a preaching cross. The original access to the village church would be by a ford over the River Foss, and there would have been times when it would have been impossible to cross due to flood water. Perhaps the church met in the open air by this cross at those times.
Ian
so much character
Thank you both, it is lovely to find such little bits of history.
Ian