Buttercross

Last updated

A buttercross in Oakham Oakham Buttercross.jpg
A buttercross in Oakham
The 17th-century buttercross in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. Whittlesy buttercross.jpg
The 17th-century buttercross in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.
Barnard Castle Market Cross Butter Market, Market Place, Barnard Castle - geograph.org.uk - 1392297.jpg
Barnard Castle Market Cross
Buttercross Monument in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Buttercross Westgate Mansfield.jpg
Buttercross Monument in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

A buttercross, butter cross or butter market cross is a type of market cross associated with English market towns and dating from medieval times. The name originates from the fact that the crosses were located in market places, where people would gather to buy locally produced butter and other dairy products. [1] The fresh produce was laid out and displayed on the circular stepped bases of the cross.

Contents

Their design varies from place to place, but they are often covered by some type of roof to offer shelter. The roofs were generally added at a much later date than the construction of the original cross.

Known buttercrosses

Examples from most parts of England include:

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Butter crosses at Wikimedia Commons

References

  1. Peyton, Jane (5 September 2012). Brilliant Britain. Summersdale. ISBN   978-0-85765-790-9.