Monument record MDO191 - Medieval market cross, The Square, Beaminster

At a short distance from the market-house was an ancient cross, decorated with carving and surrounded with rows of steps. It was destroyed about 1750, but the site remains exempt from market tolls and customs. <1>

A stone cross formerly stood in the market place at Beaminster. There is no detailed description of this cross, which was taken down in about 1750. It was described by John Banger Russell in the late 18th century as being 'adorned with carved work with a high ascent of steps' <4>. Its date is not known, but is probably late medieval. Its precise location in the market place is not known.

According to Pope, the site where the cross had stood was occupied in his time by a large memorial of Ham Hill stone, erected by Vincent Robinson of Parnham to his sister Elizabeth. <3>

The site is now occupied by a surfaced car park. No traces of antiquity could be found. <5>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale, 1903 (Map). SWX1197.

(ST 48020131) Cross (NR) (Site of)

<3> Pope, A, 1906, Old Stone Crosses of Dorset, 21-2 (Bibliographic reference). SWX1408.

<4> Hine, R A, 1914, History of Beaminster, 154 (Monograph). SDO10607.

<5> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 12-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 193019 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 10 2022 11:07AM