Listed Building record MDO16469 - Village Cross and Pump, The Square, Corfe Castle

Cross with octagonal tapered shaft with foliated cross, on a podium of four steps, in centre of Square, erected in 1897. Inscriptions on each face of base - "VR 1837-1897". "Erected on the steps of the Ancient Market Cross". "This Cross was erected to commemorate the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria". Timber cased pump with lead spout on east side,

The steps and base of this 14th century cross remained in the market square until quite recently. In 1897 the existing cross was erected on the base of the old one, the pedestal and shaft are quite new, the old base steps being re-set and used as a calvary to the new cross. <1>

The square base of the cross consists of four steps standing to a total maximum height of 1.2m. At ground level the sides of the base measure 3.0m. It is constructed of Purbeck stone and shows no trace of wear or weathering. It is probable that in the resetting of the base in 1897 worn stones were turned inwards. <3>

The village cross, Corfe Castle, has a restored square stone base with steps, supporting a modern shaft with cross finial. <4>

<1> Pope, A, 1906, Old Stone Crosses of Dorset, 41-43 (Bibliographic reference). SWX1408.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, 1928 (Map). SDO10373.

(SY 96028208) Cross (NR) (Remains of)

<3> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 04-JUL-52 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<4> DOE (HRR), 1952, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Wareham and Purbeck Rural District 1952, 12 (Scheduling record). SWX3230.

<5> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 542 (Index). SDO147.

Corfe Castle: 14th century cross base. The medieval cross base and steps stood in the market square until 1897 when a modern shaft and cross were added. Sides of square base 3.0m wide and 1.2m high. 7/7/C

<6> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OS52/F39/4 (Index). SDO14738.

CROSS TAKEN FROM SOUTH.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456827 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 17 2023 4:58PM