Monument record MDO2798 - Cross, near St Mary's Chapel, Adber,Trent

(ST 59842038) Churchyard Cross: Near the site of St Mary's Chapel, Adber, is a cross, now tilted to a steep angle in the side of a ditch. The shaft is probably 15th c; it is about 2ft long, rectangular with rounded angles and on one face are the remains of a bracket and relief sculpture. (1)

"There are now no remains of the cross in the area and I know nothing about its whereabouts" (a) "I know nothing of this cross" (b). The enclosure in which the site of the chapel falls is largely surrounded by a deep ditch and no trace of the cross was found. (2)

Perambulation of adjacent field ditches undertaken, local enquiries made, no information regarding cross or whereabouts. (3)

Now sited at ST 5978220347. It bears a plaque with the following inscription - "This 15th century cross formerly stood near the site of St. Mary's, Adber. It was excavated and placed here by the Sherborne Historical Society in 1963, and handed over for future preservation to the Sherborne Rural District
Council." (4)

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 256 (Monograph). SDO97.

‘(2) CHURCHYARD CROSS, near site of St. Mary's Chapel, Adber, 1¼ m. N.N.E. of the church, is now tilted to a steep angle in the side of a ditch. The shaft now about 2½ ft. long is roughly rectangular with rounded angles; on one face are the remains of a bracket and a standing figure in high relief. The shaft is probably of the 15th century.’

<2> Mr Scammell, 1955, Oral (Mr Scammell owner 4 7 55) (Verbal communication). SDO17827.

<3> Oliver, Revd, 1955, Oral: Rev Oliver, Rector of Trent, 4.7.55 (Verbal communication). SDO17826.

<4> 1975, Large Scale / Small Scale Map Revisers CommentL.S. Reviser, 28.10.75 (Unpublished document). SDO17825.

<5> Dorset County Council, 1978, Countryside Treasures in Dorset: West Dorset District, 159 (Monograph). SDO12366.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 196443 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jun 27 2023 2:16PM