The Market Cross

The Market Cross, built in 1714 and designed by E Shelton of Wakefield, is a Grade I listed structure located in Beverley at Saturday Market. It underwent repairs in 1769. The cross features four pairs of coupled Roman Doric columns made of stone, which stand on an octagonal base with three steps. It has a full entablature adorned with triglyphs and guttae, which is broken over the columns. On the south side, there are four finely carved cartouches displaying the Royal Arms of Queen Anne, along with the arms of Beverley, Hotham, and Warton, all in color. Above the entablature is another cartouche that is part of a relief-carved tablet featuring trophies of arms. This cartouche is topped with a head-dress that includes the Prince of Wales feathers, although one feather is missing as of the last survey. The inscription reads: "This cross was built at the expense of Sir Charles Hotham Bart, and Sir Michael Warton Knt. Members of Parliament for this Corporation Anno Domini 1714. Repaired AD 1769 Wm Leake Esq, Mayor." In 1769, eight enriched urns by E Rushworth were added above the columns. The structure is topped with a leaded octagonal cupola roof that features an elaborate square glazed lantern, which is surmounted by an obelisk and a weather vane.