Monument record MDO2377 - Higher Cross, Cheap Street, Sherborne

[ST 63781684] The HIGHER CROSS stood at the junction of ST. SWITHIN'S and CHEAP STREETS. The cross resembled that at STALBRIDGE, and consisted of two octgonal steps with an octagonal socket stone 3ft. in diameter and 2ft 6ins high. The shaft was 18 ins. square at the base and 9ft. high. The top of the cross was broken off and the whole cross removed in the time of the first Earl DIGBY (c.1765).

[Site of HIGHER CROSS shown at same position as OS 1/2500 siting symbol]. <1> <2>

Cross [G.T.] (Site of) The site of this ancient cross is at the junction of CHEAP STREET & NEWLAND, Supposed to have been erected in 14th cent. <3>

There are no visible remains of the HIGHER CROSS; the site is occupied by a modern road junction. <5>

The cross possibly dated from the 14th century and was removed c. 1765 with permission of the 1st earl Digby. It resembled the cross at Stalbridge but was only 9ft high, the top having been broken off just above the image, and replaced with a dial. The image was of St. John clothed in camel's skin surrounded by kneeling figures. <6>

<1> Hutchins, J, 1815, The history and antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 4. 2nd edition, Between pp.74-75 Plan of SHERBORNE. 1802. Appx. scale 1/2500. 2nd Edn. (Monograph). SDO10233.

<2> Hutchins, J, 1873, The history and antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 4. 3rd edition, 283 (Monograph). SDO10245.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Object Name Book (ONB) reference, DORSET 5 S.W.p.26. -/4/01 & -/5/27 (Monograph). SWX8217.

<4> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, DORSET 6/13. 1928 (Map). SDO10373.

Cross [G.T.] (site of) [T.I.]

<5> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 18-JUL-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<6> Thornton, M L M, 1974, The Green, Sherborne. Journal of the Sherborne Historical Society, 1 (Article in serial). SDO10579.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 199444 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2024 1:09PM