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Summary

Churchyard cross with octagonal pedestal with 2 steps with an octagonal cross with head and arms above. The cross is out of proportion to the base and is thought to have been a wayside cross that was substituted for the original at some time.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1015607: Churchyard cross 12m south of Sampford Courtenay church
• Listed Building (II) 1326488: CHURCHYARD CROSS

Other References/Statuses

• MPP Archaeological Item Dataset: 139508
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS60SW/15
• Old Listed Building Ref (II): 93056
• Old SAM Ref: 27308
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SS60SW6

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CROSS (XIV to XV - 1301 AD to 1500 AD (Between))

Full description

Masson Phillips, E. N., 1937, The Ancient Stone Crosses of Devon: Part I, 334-335 (Article in Serial). SDV240502.

Cross in the churchyard. Masson Phillip's Type B or C. An octagonal pedestal of two steps with projecting top edges, the west side being cut away for a path. Set in the centre of the upper stage of this pedestal, there is a small cross of rectangular section chamfered below the arms and with pointed stops at the base of the shaft.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1971 - 1977, SS60SW6 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV345367.

Site visit 14th June 1971. Medieval cross shaft expands at base, so it is evidently complete, and not just the upper part. It is, however, so ill-proportioned on a medieval masonry pedestal that it can hardly be the original shaft. Its simplicity of design suggests that it is a boundary or wayside shaft substituting for the former churchyard cross.

Gerrard, H., 1994, Image of cross (Ground Photograph). SDV345359.

Gerrard, H., 1994, Untitled Source, 139508 (Un-published). SDV345364.

Churchyard cross 12 metres south of church. It has an almost octagonal pedestal with 2 steps, with an octagonal cross with head and arms above. The pedestal was originally octagonal but has been cut away on the west side by a pathway. The lower step has been set into the slope of the churchyard. Its overall diameter is 2.1 metres and the length of each side is 1.12 metres. The pedestal stands up to 0.42 metres high, but this decreases to 0.15 metres on the east. The upper step is octagonal with a diameter of 1.82 metres. The length of each side is 1.03 metres and it is 0.56 metres high. Both steps are constructed with large slabs of granite and both have coved projecting tops. The west side of the pedestal has been partially truncated by a pathway through the churchyard and the pedestal here has been faced with large slabs of granite, although the coving of the upper step remains intact. Inserted into the top of the upper step is a medieval cross. The base of the cross is 0.23 metres square with pointed stops; the shaft, therefore, becomes octagonal as it tapers upwards. Beneath the arms the cross is 0.16 metres wide. The arms and head are rectangular in section. The width at the arms is 0.37 metres. The cross is 1.02 metres high. It is quite crude and out of proportion to the base. It seems likely to have been a wayside cross which has been substituted for the original at some time. The cross is of a type common to churchyards throughout Devon and is thought to date to the 14th-15th century.

Department of National Heritage, 1995, Churchyard Cross 12m South of Sampford Courtenay Church (Schedule Document). SDV345368.

Churchyard cross situated 12 metres south of Sampford Courtenay church. It has an almost octagonal pedestal (partly cut away on the western side by a pathway) with two steps, with an octagonal cross with head and arms above. See schedule document for details.

Watson, A., 2007-2017?, Devon Crosses, 390, (Vol 3), sketch (Un-published). SDV360833.

Sampford Courtenay Churchyard SS632013
A cross stands in the churchyard, south of the church, beside a path. An octagonal pedestal of two steps with projecting top edges, the west side being cut away for a path. Set in the centre of the upper stage of this pedestal, there is a small cross of rectangular section chamfered below the arms and with pointed stops at the base of the shaft.
Cross height 0.99 metres, span 0.36 metres. Base 0.22 by 0.22 metres. Pedestal top 1.96 by 1.83 metres by 0.61 metres high, bottom 2.62 metres by 0.17 metres high (churchyard side), 2.18 metres by 0.50 metres high (path side).

English Heritage, 2010, Historic Houses Register (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV154869.

Churchyard cross. Late medieval. Granite. Small Latin cross (most of the shaft is missing) with chamfered edges set in large raised granite octagonal base with chamfered soffit. Date listed: 8th October 1987.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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