The Cross

MALMESBURY

ST9387 MARKET CROSS 758-1/4/255 (North side) 18/01/49 The Cross

GV I

Market cross. Late C15/early C16, renovated c1800 by the Earl of Suffolk, and repaired 1909-12 and 1949-50. Limestone ashlar. Octagonal plan about a central shaft. Each face has a moulded 4-centre open arch with a low plinth, and 2 entrances facing SW and NE, with foliate spandrels beneath a drip and a crenellated parapet. Angle buttresses between have crocketed pinnacles rising from 2 levels of weathering. A large lantern above the roof is supported by cyma-moulded arch-braced roll top flying buttresses, with figures of the saints and the Crucifixion set in niches beneath attached finials, beneath an elaborate ogee cap with crockets and finials. INTERIOR: central octagonal shaft with attached columns and a low bench, with matching columns to the inside of the buttresses, supports a lierne vault with bosses. HISTORICAL NOTE: Leland states c1544 that it was built in living memory "for poore market folkes to stande dry when rayne cummith". An extremely fine example of its type. (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Wiltshire: London: 1963-: 327; Victoria History of the Counties of England: Crowley DA: Wiltshire: 1956-: 134).

Listing NGR: ST9330487229