Market cross

Market crosses were originally from the distinctive tradition in Early Medieval Insular art of free-standing stone standing or high crosses, often elaborately carved, which goes back to the 7th century.

[1] British emigrants often installed such crosses in their new cities, and several can be found in Canada and Australia.

[2] The market cross could be representing the official site for a medieval town or village market, granted by a charter, or it could have once represented a traditional religious marking at a crossroads.

[2] These structures range from carved stone spires, obelisks or crosses, common to small market towns such as that in Stalbridge, Dorset,[3] to large, ornate covered structures, such as the Chichester Cross,[4] or Malmesbury Market Cross.

[5] They can also be constructed from wood; an example is at Wymondham, Norfolk.