The Bristol High Cross

STOURTON WITH GASPER STOURHEAD GARDENS ST 73 SE (east side) 6/142 The Bristol High Cross GV I Market cross. Early C15, early C16 and 1633, from Bristol, moved to Stourhead by Henry Hoare 1765, restored 1894 and 1981. Limestone. Four tiers of decreasing height, the lower open stage on four octagonal piers with cusped ogee arches, central pier restored 1981. Second stage of canopied niches containing replicas of four statues said to be of King John, Henry III and two of Edward I, crocketed pinnacles at angles. Third stage added 1633; canopied niches containing seated figures of Henry VI, Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. Upper stage of small canopied niches with heraldic shields flanked by small figures. Crocketed pinnacle with cross finial to top. This originally stood at the street crossing at the centre of mediaeval Bristol, was taken down and removed to College Green 1736, but dismantled in 1762. Henry Hoare was a friend of The Dean and acquired the monument for his developing landscape at Stourhead. Scheduled Ancient Monument, Wiltshire, No 247. (K. Woodbridge, The Stourhead Landscape, 1982)

Listing NGR: ST7755333964