Scheduled Ancient Monument: BUTTER CROSS (SF14)

Butter Cross. A circular Jacobean structure on pillars of oak, with a lead roof surmounted by a lead figure of justice with a pair of scales in her right hand. Its date is about 1680. 1689: Octagonal on plan. Rom Doric wood columns and entablature with lead covered domed roof, wood pedestal supporting a lead figure of Justice weighing 18 cwt. Columns now supported on stone plinths but originally the area of the cross was raised on steps, the columns rested on wood bases and in the centre was a prisoner's cage for temporary detention of delinquents. This case was removed in 1836 and the steps in 1863 when an earlier dungeon was discovered underneath, said to be the remains of the earlier cross destroyed by the fire of 1688. 1981: Monument in good condition. Only apparent vandalism is graffiti on the oak pillars which are painted white. Doctor Kane informed me that the leading on the roof of the cross had been repaired fairly recently.