More information : [SD 77171819] Stone on Site of Whowell Cross or Pilgrims Cross [GT] (1) Pilgrim's Cross, (Grid 7718/175195), the base of which remained until August, 1901...is mentioned as a landmark in 1176 in the charter of Roger Montbegon in favour of the priory of Monk Bretton (a). (2) At a meeting of the Society, Nov. 8th, 1901, Mr. W. Harrison reported the destruction of the Pilgrim's Cross, on Holcombe Moor. "The stone was seen intact by the Rev. H. Dowsett, rector of Holcombe, on the 3rd August [1901.] but a few days later it had utterly disappeared. Later on the fragments were found in a wet bog-hole not far away. The stone weighed perhaps a ton, and showed a cavity squared for the cross, which had long previously disappeared...In very early documents allusions are made to this cross. Pilgrim crosse-slack, in the forest of Tottington is mentioned in a charter dated from Ightenhill in 22 Henry II, A.D.1176, and Pilgrim cross shaw is referred to in the charter of 1225 by which Roger de Montbegon granted land hard by to Monk Bretton Priory" A memorial stone marking the site was set up on the 28th June, 1902. It is five feet high, standing on a base stone four and a half feet square, and has an inscription on each of its four sides. (3) The stone marking the site of the Pilgrims Cross is 0.9m square by 1.5m high and stands on a base measuring 1.4m square by 0.6m high. The inscription on its four sides is as follows. (West face) "On this site stood the ancient Pilgrims Cross. It was existing in A.D.1176 and probably much earlier. Pilgrims to Whalley Abbey prayed and rested here. (South face) Nothing is known of the removal of the ancient cross but its massive socketted foundation stone remained here until August 1901. (East face) This memorial stone was placed here May 24th 1902 by the copyholders of the manor and others. (North face) In A.D.1176 and in A.D.1225 the Pilgrims Cross is named in Charters of gifts of land in Holcombe Forest. In A.D.1662 King Charles II gave this manor to General Monk Duke of Albemarle through whom it has descended to the present lord of the manor. This modern stone is in good condition, and is correctly shown on the 25" A.M. GP.AO/59/298/1 - Inscribed stone from S.E. (4) |