Listed Building record MDO31566 - Medieval cross in the churchyard, Rampisham

A cross of late fifteenth century date. An octagonal pedestal with two steps supports a square cross base, into which the shaft of the cross would have been set. The faces of the pedestal are panelled and carved with subjects including the martyrdom of St Thomas of Canterbury.

[ST 56150221] Churchyard cross of L.15thc or c.16thc. It consists of a square base set on an octagonal pedestal, with carvings on the pedestal; and the whole on two octagonal steps. The base of the shaft exists, but is much
worn. A full description of the cross with details of the carvings Similar information, noting that base and shaft have the
date 1516 incised upon them. <1-3>

The remains of this churchyard cross comprise an octagonal pedestal of three steps, surmounted by the square carved socket stone in which is a fragment of shaft. The socket stone is 1.2 m. square, and the shaft fragment is 0.2 m. high.
A tomb has been built onto the E. side of the pedestal. Dates as in Auth 3 no longer visible. <4>

No change. Correctly shown on O.S. 25". The RCHM record that the adjoining table tomb is said to have borne the date 1606. If so the pedestal of the cross was rebuilt then, since angled stones are common to the tomb and pedestal at their junction. See G.Ps. <5>

No change. <6>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 694 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Pope, A, 1906, Old Stone Crosses of Dorset, 87-92 (Bibliographic reference). SWX1408.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 191-192 (Monograph). SDO97.

‘(2) PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS … Churchyard Cross (Plate 85): square base set on octagonal pedestal with angular projections forming a square, inscribed plinth and two octagonal steps; each free face of pedestal panelled and containing figure-subjects as follows:—on N.W. probably the Martyrdom of St. Thomas of Canterbury, two armed knights on side-piers; on N.E. a martyrdom or perhaps an Entombment, seated figures of a king and a monk on side-piers; on S.E. figure-subject with two (or perhaps three) carved standing figures and one kneeling figure, seated king and monk on side-piers; on S.W. two crowned figures at table, small figure in front, on the side piers a figure with scroll and a bird on a pedestal; on splayed plinth, a black-letter inscription reading "Ihu Xpe Fili Dei misere mei Et sic dicit Porter in nomine Ihu (fieri fecit ?) I(draton ?)", base of shaft much worn, with remains of letters; late 15th or early 16th-century.’

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 26-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

F2 NVQ 19-NOV-71

<5> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<6> McOmish, D S, Various, Field Investigators Comments DSM, F3 DSM 17-FEB-87 (Unpublished document). SDO16333.

<7> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OS55/F147/5 (Index). SDO14738.

CHURCHYARD CROSS AT RAMPISHAM. SOCKET STONES AND REMAINS FROM NORTH EAST.

<8> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OS55/F75/8 (Index). SDO14738.

CROSS IN RAMPISHAM CHURCHYARD

<9> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OS71/F4/13 (Index). SDO14738.

REMAINS OF C15-C16 CROSS SURVIVING AS AN OCTAGONAL PEDESTAL OF THREE STEPS SURMOUNTED BY A SQUARE SOCKET STONE

<10> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OS71/F4/14 (Index). SDO14738.

REMAINS OF CHURCHYARD CROSS SURVIVING AS AN OCTAGONAL PEDESTAL OF THREE STEPS SURMOUNTED BY A SQUARE SOCKET STONE LATE C15 - EARLY C16

<11> National Record of the Historic Environment, 195815 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 16 2022 2:49PM