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Summary

Ancient cross sunk into its original base, which is placed upon a modern pedestal.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1169940: ALPHINGTON CROSS

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX99SW/91
• Old Listed Building Ref (II)
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX99SW60

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CROSS (Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1539 AD (Between))

Full description

Cresswell, B. F., 1915, Churchyard and Wayside Crosses in the Neighbourhood of Exeter, 188 (Article in Serial). SDV336961.

Masson Phillips, E. N., 1938, The Ancient Stone Crosses of Devon: Part II, 326 (Article in Serial). SDV6308.

Alphington cross. A modern pedestal of two steps supports an ancient socket stone, square at the base with corner shoulders, octagonal above with chamfered top edge. The shaft, which tapers upwards slightly, is rectangular at the base and chamfered above. There is a fracture below the arms. On the south face is a cross-shaped recess. The north face is plain.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1953, SX99SW60, Photo (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV22588.

Site visit 1953. Restored wayside cross. It is in situ but now stands on a little green which has been built around it on the western side of the road. The accompanying sketch marks the cross as standing 2.3m high, the arm of the cross 0.7m wide. It stands on a three-tiered base, the top tier is 1.2m wide.

Department of Environment, 1974, Exeter, 58 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV325648.

Dyer, M. J., 1999, Archaeological Recording during Construction of a new J. Sainsbury Complex at Alphington Road, Exeter (Report - non-specific). SDV336314.

During construction work for the new Sainsbury complex the cross was dismantled, stored and re-erected in November 1998 at SX91439059 much closer to its 18th century, presumably original, location.

Watson, A., 2007-2017?, Devon Crosses, 3, (Vol 1) sketch included (Un-published). SDV360833.

SX914906 Alphington Cross
Alphington Cross stands beside a road junction on the edge of Alphington village, the cross consists of a modern pedestal of two octagonal steps supporting an ancient socket stone, square at the base with corner shoulders, octagonal above with chamfered top edge. The shaft of the ancient cross, which tapers upwards slightly, is rectangular at the base with rounded spurs and chamfered above. The head and arms expand outwards. There is a cross-shaped recess between the arms which resembles that in the cross on Alphington Green, the other face is plain.
Cross measurements: height 1.88 metres, span 0.62 metres, base 0.33 by 0.30 metres. Recessed cross height 0.19 metres, span 0.15 by 0.025 metres. Socket stone 0.91 by 0.96 by 0.3 metres high. Pedestal (top) 1.6 by 0.2 metres (bottom) 2.2 by 0.3 metres.
'The cross in sunk into its original base, which is placed upon granite steps. Closer inspection reveals that the top has been broken off and replaced. The breakage was the effect of a cart being driven against it in 1830, at which date the cross stood out on the road. The Reverend Richard Ellicombe, rector of Alphington, had it repaired, and put further back towards the hedge. The steps on which it is not elevated were a later addition' (citing Miss Beatrix F Cresswell, 1915).

Noakes, R., 2014-2020, Devon Crosses (Ground Photograph). SDV366467.

Photo showing the cross set in its original, carved socket stone, now mounted on a stepped plinth. The fracture recorded to the cross below the arms is visible.

LS, Unknown, Untitled Source (National Monuments Record Database). SDV22584.

Now moved to SX91499066 (citing LS).

Sources / Further Reading

SDV22584	National Monuments Record Database: LS. Unknown. NMR Database. Unknown.
SDV22588	Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1953. SX99SW60. OSAD Card. Card Index + Digital. Photo.
SDV325648	List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest: Department of Environment. 1974. Exeter. Historic Houses Register. Website. 58.
SDV336314	Report - non-specific: Dyer, M. J.. 1999. Archaeological Recording during Construction of a new J. Sainsbury Complex at Alphington Road, Exeter. Exeter Archaeology Report. 99.81. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV336961	Article in Serial: Cresswell, B. F.. 1915. Churchyard and Wayside Crosses in the Neighbourhood of Exeter. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 47. A5 Hardback. 188.
SDV360833	Un-published: Watson, A.. 2007-2017?. Devon Crosses. Mixed Archive Material + Digital. 3, (Vol 1) sketch included.
SDV366467	Ground Photograph: Noakes, R.. 2014-2020. Devon Crosses. Digital.
	Linked images:11
SDV6308	Article in Serial: Masson Phillips, E. N.. 1938. The Ancient Stone Crosses of Devon: Part II. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 70. A5 Hardback. 326.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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