Monument record MDO43541 - Medieval market cross, Blandford St Mary

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Summary

A medieval market cross, known to have been extant 1425, and demolished in 1731. Fragments of sculpted work were found at the site in 1904 and removed to the Rectory. They may have formed part of the cross.

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

A market cross which stood in the centre of the open space at the west end of Blandford market place, seems to have been removed about 1731. <2> <3>. Some few years ago (c1904) during excavations in the market square, worked stones were found, which are said to have formed part of the old market cross. These stones are now piled in a small enclosure near the Rectory. They include moulded plinth stones, and a stone with the lower part of two figures carved upon it.

The stones were removed from the enclosure near the Rectory many years ago, and have since that time been in Blandford corporation yard in Victoria Street (a).

About three dozen stones are in a heap at ST 88846586 in the corporation yard. One third of the stones are rectangular slabs up to 1.3m. long, with concave chamfering along one side; these are perhaps plinth stones. Other stones are cut, but are of various shapes and sizes. The stone with the carved figures, mentioned by Pope (Authy 4) could not be found. <2-5>

Former market cross at Blandford mentioned in 1425 (b). <6>


<1> Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale, 1929 (Map). SWX1197.

(ST 88450629) Cross

<2> Hutchins, J, 1861, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 1. 3rd edition, 218, 220 (Monograph). SDO12569.

<3> RCHM Mss file, 1857 (Unpublished document). SWX2467.

<4> Pope, A, 1906, Old Stone Crosses of Dorset, 23-4 (Bibliographic reference). SWX1408.

<5> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 08-DEC-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<6> Mills, A D, 1977, English Place-Name Society : the survey of English place-names [county volumes] Dorset, 89 (Monograph). SDO17741.

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

Sources/Archives (7)

  • <1> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1:2500 scale. 1:2500. 1929.
  • <2> Monograph: Hutchins, J. 1861. The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 1. 3rd edition. 1. 218, 220.
  • <3> Unpublished document: RCHM Mss file. 1857.
  • <4> Bibliographic reference: Pope, A. 1906. Old Stone Crosses of Dorset. 23-4.
  • <5> Unpublished document: Quinnell, N V. Various. Field Investigators Comments NVQ. F1 NVQ 08-DEC-55.
  • <6> Monograph: Mills, A D. 1977. English Place-Name Society : the survey of English place-names [county volumes] Dorset. Part 2. 89.
  • <7> Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Location

Grid reference ST 8844 0629 (point)
Map sheet ST80NE
Civil Parish Blandford St Mary; Dorset

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: ST 80 NE 15
  • Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 205436

Record last edited

Mar 5 2022 9:20AM

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