Richmond Market Cross is a historic structure in Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England.
A Mediaeval cross stood in Richmond's market square; Christopher Clarkson described it as "the greatest beauty in the Town". [1] It was atop a plinth, surrounded by a 6 feet (1.8 m)-wall, ornamented with the shields of four local families, and with a stone dog at each corner. Despite this, the cross was demolished and replaced with a tall obelisk, which was completed in 1771. [2] It has been a focal point for the town, with the maypole, stocks, pillory and boulder for bear baiting all having been located around it. [3] Under the obelisk is a 12,000 imperial gallons (55,000 L)-tank which long served as the town's main reservoir. [2] The Victoria County History describes the obelisk as "not an interesting structure", [1] but the Darlington and Stockton Times claims it is "characterfully curious". [2]
The cross consists of a stone tapering obelisk with an octagonal plan. It stands on a plinth with alternating rectangular and round-headed niches, the latter with small pediments on brackets. Above it is a fluted frieze and a moulded cornice, and the obelisk is surmounted by a granite ball finial. [4] The obelisk bulges with what Nikolaus Pevsner describes as a "stupa-like entasis". [5] It has been grade II* listed since 1952. [4]
