Banbury Cross

Banbury Cross is a significant structure built in 1858 by J. Gibbs of Oxford to commemorate the marriage of Victoria, Princess Royal, to the Crown Prince of Prussia. In 1914, additions were made that included figures of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, and George V, which were carved by Boulton and Sons. The cross is made of limestone and is designed in the style of an Eleanor Cross, featuring niches, statues, and a small spire. Although three medieval crosses are mentioned in Banbury, there is no evidence that a medieval cross existed in Horse Fair. The site was likely chosen for the 1858 cross because historian Alfred Beesley noted in 1841 that it may have been the location of the principal cross in Banbury. Since medieval times, Banbury Cross has been an important local landmark.