It was in existence by the 15th century, and appears as Whit crose on the 1610 map of the town by cartographer John Speed.

As discussed in a 2009 watching brief by the firm of Monmouth Archaeology, it has been assumed that the street was named after a white cross.

It is speculated that the cross in question might be the one drawn by Speed in the churchyard of St Mary's Priory Church on his 1610 map.

[2] However, according to local publisher and antiquary Charles Heath, writing in 1804, the stone cross after which the street was named was located on the site of a later public weighing machine, and its remains "were in existence in the memory of the present inhabitants.

[5] The square is remarkable for an Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa), a native of the southeastern United States.

[6][7] St James Square also features the Monmouth War Memorial, designed by W. Clarke of Llandaff and installed in front of the Catalpa in 1921.

A plaque with an image of a legendary creature, the griffin, is displayed on the facade of the building above the entrance (pictured).

[11][12][13] St Mary's Priory Church (pictured below) on Whitecross Street is a Grade II* listed building.

The building was a gift to the town of Monmouth by John Allan Rolls, the future Lord Llangattock.

[30] The Judges' Lodgings at 27 Whitecross Street, just north of St James Square, is a grade II listed building.

It is located opposite the public library, also known as Rolls Hall, and is one of 24 blue plaque buildings on the Monmouth Heritage Trail.

There are five bays and the front, red brick facade is remarkable for a tall, arched window above the entrance.

[4][34][35] 33 Whitecross Street (pictured below) at St James Square is a grade II listed building, most probably of the 18th century.

It was listed initially in 1974, and by Cadw in 2008, and was included due to its special architectural interest and its location amid other historic buildings.