Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Butter Cross
Hob Uid: 36872
Location : Somerset Somerset West and Taunton Dunster
Grid Ref : SS9881143873
Summary : A medieval wayside cross shaft in a square socket stone standing on a modern plinth of two octagonal steps. It is situated on a raised knoll by the roadside to the north west of the town of Dunster. The knoll, which is part of the Scheduled monument, stands circa 1.5 metres above the surrounding land. The simple socket and shaft is of 15th century type. The socket stone bears the inscription "WC,1871,SW" which probably records a Victorian restoration. The cross stands at the junction of four tracks within view of the church and is indicative of a wayside cross leading people towards the church. It is claimed that it formerly stood near the south end of Dunster High Street (at about National Grid Reference SS 9917 4367) and gained its name 'Butter Cross' since it was once a meeting-place for butter-sellers. The cross is in the care of English Heritage
More information : [Name SS 98904388] Butter Cross [NAT] (1) Butter Cross, a wayside cross stands on a bank by the side of the road leading to Gallox. It consists of a simple socket and part of a shaft of the ordinary 15th century type (see Illustration). (2) Butter Cross formerly stood near the south end of the High Street (SS 99174367). (3) Scheduled. (4) The cross is as illustrated by Pooley, and is at SS 98814387 (see GP AO/65/124/4). (5) Butter Cross, Grade II*, St. George's Street. Late 14th/early 15th century stone wayside cross. Stump with polygonal shaft in square socket on base of two octagonal steps. Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No. 190). (6) [SS 98814387] Butter Cross [NR] (7) Additional bibliography. (8) The transplanted stump of a medieval stone cross, once a meeting-place for butter-sellers. [Please note web link url is no longer current]. (11) Source 12 includes a brief accessible overview of the history of the Butter Cross, Dunster, for visitors. (12)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source : Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)
Source details : 6" 1928-38
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Source Number : 2
Source : An historical and descriptive account of the old stone crosses of Somerset
Source details : Pooley C. 1877. Old Crosses of Somerset
Page(s) : 154
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Source Number : 11
Source : World Wide Web page
Source details : 2008. English Heritage. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.16152 [Accessed 14-MAY-2008]
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Source Number : 12
Source : Heritage Unlocked: Guide to free sites in Devon, Dorset and Somerset
Source details :
Page(s) : 66-67
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Source Number : 3
Source : Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Object Name Book reference
Source details : 1902
Page(s) : 32
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Source Number : 4
Source : Ancient monuments in England and Wales : list prepared by the Ministry of Works, corrected to 31st December 1960
Source details : Ministry of Works. 1961. List Ancient Monuments of England and Wales
Page(s) : 83
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Source Number : 5
Source : Field Investigators Comments
Source details : 26/05/1965
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Source Number : 6
Source : List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest
Source details : West Somerset 04/08/1983
Page(s) : 34
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Vol(s) : 26

Source Number : 7
Source : Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)
Source details : 1:10000 1972
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Source Number : 8
Source : VIRTUAL CATALOGUE ENTRY TO SUPPORT NAR MIGRATION
Source details : Snell FJ. 1906. Memorials of Old Somerset
Page(s) : 122, 133-4
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Source Number : 9
Source : Scheduled Monument Notification
Source details : 18-Mar-96
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Source Number : 10
Source : The English Heritage visitors' handbook 1998-99
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Page(s) : 70
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : C15
Monument End Date : 1499
Monument Start Date : 1400
Monument Type : Wayside Cross
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : Victorian
Display Date : Restored 1871
Monument End Date : 1871
Monument Start Date : 1871
Monument Type : Wayside Cross
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : Uncertain
Display Date : Date unknown
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Mound
Evidence : Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Somerset)
External Cross Reference Number : 34620
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : SO 190
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 22091
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 264719
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : EH Property Number
External Cross Reference Number : 246
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SS 94 SE 9
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities : Primary, FIELD OBSERVATION ON SS 94 SE 9
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1965-05-26
End Date : 1965-05-26

Historic England Research Records

Butter Cross