Malmesbury Market Cross

It was built c. 1490,[1] possibly using limestone salvaged from the recently ruined part of Malmesbury Abbey, which then began just across the market square from the cross.

An elaborately carved octagonal structure of the Perpendicular Period, it is recognised as one of the best preserved of its kind in England, and was made a Grade I listed building in 1949.

The building is over 40 ft. high,[3] and today is nicknamed "the Birdcage", because of its appearance, and still serves to shelter market traders by day and as a meeting point at night.

The men of the toun made this peace of work in hominum memoria [within living memory].The cross was renovated in about 1800 at the expense of John Howard, 15th Earl of Suffolk,[8] and subsequently repaired in 1909–12 and 1949–50.

[2] In 1879–80, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (in its third year of existence) sent two council members who drew up a report of the repairs needed for Lord Northwick, who owned the cross, but it is not clear what was done.