DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0126
80
architectural antiquities.
other statues of kings were now added."* These were of Henry the Sixth, Eliza-
beth, Charles the First, and James the First, each of whom had renewed and con-
firmed the charters of the city. It was now, as Mr. Barrett states, "most curiously
painted, gilded, and enclosed with an iron pallisade, and surrounded with freestone
steps, where all public proclamations were read to the people, and which served the
market people to sit round when the market was kept in High-street. These
improvements cost the chamber £207- and its height from the ground was 39 feet
6 inches." In 1697 it was again painted and gilt in a very costly manner, and was
then considered an object of great curiosity by strangers, and beauty by the in-
habitants. A siversmith, who lived near it, petitioned to have it removed in 1733,
and had sufficient influence to effect his purpose. It was, therefore, taken down,
and thrown into the Guildhall, where it remained till some gentlemen of the
College-Green voluntarily subscribed to have it re-erected in the centre of that
open space : but here it was not suffered long to continue, for, in the year 1763, the
whole structure was once more levelled with the ground, and thrown into a secluded
corner of the Cathedral. So insensible were the Bristolians of its beauty and
curiosity, that they permitted Dean Barton, at length, to give it to Mr. Hoare, of
Stourhead, who expended about £300. in its removal to, and re-erection in, the
delightful gardens at that place. Here it is safely preserved, and carefully upheld,
and constitutes not only an unique garden ornament, but is singularly beautiful for
its architectural character, its sculpture, and its " eventful history."
The base, top, and central pier, as represented in the annexed print, were added
when the Cross was erected at Stourhead.
Cross at Winchester, Hampshire.—This very elegant structure it supposed,
by Mr. Milner, to have been erected in the reign of Henry the Sixth : but in a print
published by the Society of Antiquaries, it is said to have been built in the time of
Edward the Third. It is divided into three stories, and consists of a central square
pier, with four smaller ones at the angles, all terminated in purfled pinnacles, and
the whole decorated with niches, pediments, &c. It appears to have had four statues
originally, but only one now remains. This, Mr. Milner conjectures, is meant to
represent either St. Laurence or St. Amphiballus : though it is generally said to be
an effigy of St John the Evangelist. The present building is called the Butter
Cross, because the retail dealers in that article usually assemble round it. Like
* Barrett's History, &c. of Bristol, p. 474.
architectural antiquities.
other statues of kings were now added."* These were of Henry the Sixth, Eliza-
beth, Charles the First, and James the First, each of whom had renewed and con-
firmed the charters of the city. It was now, as Mr. Barrett states, "most curiously
painted, gilded, and enclosed with an iron pallisade, and surrounded with freestone
steps, where all public proclamations were read to the people, and which served the
market people to sit round when the market was kept in High-street. These
improvements cost the chamber £207- and its height from the ground was 39 feet
6 inches." In 1697 it was again painted and gilt in a very costly manner, and was
then considered an object of great curiosity by strangers, and beauty by the in-
habitants. A siversmith, who lived near it, petitioned to have it removed in 1733,
and had sufficient influence to effect his purpose. It was, therefore, taken down,
and thrown into the Guildhall, where it remained till some gentlemen of the
College-Green voluntarily subscribed to have it re-erected in the centre of that
open space : but here it was not suffered long to continue, for, in the year 1763, the
whole structure was once more levelled with the ground, and thrown into a secluded
corner of the Cathedral. So insensible were the Bristolians of its beauty and
curiosity, that they permitted Dean Barton, at length, to give it to Mr. Hoare, of
Stourhead, who expended about £300. in its removal to, and re-erection in, the
delightful gardens at that place. Here it is safely preserved, and carefully upheld,
and constitutes not only an unique garden ornament, but is singularly beautiful for
its architectural character, its sculpture, and its " eventful history."
The base, top, and central pier, as represented in the annexed print, were added
when the Cross was erected at Stourhead.
Cross at Winchester, Hampshire.—This very elegant structure it supposed,
by Mr. Milner, to have been erected in the reign of Henry the Sixth : but in a print
published by the Society of Antiquaries, it is said to have been built in the time of
Edward the Third. It is divided into three stories, and consists of a central square
pier, with four smaller ones at the angles, all terminated in purfled pinnacles, and
the whole decorated with niches, pediments, &c. It appears to have had four statues
originally, but only one now remains. This, Mr. Milner conjectures, is meant to
represent either St. Laurence or St. Amphiballus : though it is generally said to be
an effigy of St John the Evangelist. The present building is called the Butter
Cross, because the retail dealers in that article usually assemble round it. Like
* Barrett's History, &c. of Bristol, p. 474.