DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0131
ancient stone crosses. 83
Kitchen, and St. Joseph's Chapel, are yet remaining at this town : these constitute
several very picturesque views, and display some interesting specimens of ancient
architecture.
Crosses of Memorial.—Among the Catholic customs of former times, we find
it was usual to erect crosses where the bodies of eminent persons reposed, or halted
in their way to interment. A series of these formerly stood by the side of the road
which communicated between Paris and St. Denis, where the Kings of France were
usually interred.* A wooden one was also raised on a bridge where the relics of
St. Wandrigisilius rested :f but the most memorable and interesting objects of this
kind, were those which King Edward the First of England erected, at the different
stages where the corpse of Queen Eleanor rested, in its progress from Nottingham-
shire to London. Mr. Gough| states, that there were fifteen of these elegant
structures originally, but only three are now remaining; and such is the peculiar
beauty and variety of these, as specimens of architecture, and productions of art,
that we cannot but sincerely regret the destruction and loss of the others. Historians
differ respecting the place and time of this Queen's death, and also concerning the
number of crosses erected. Mr. Sandford, who appears to be the most accurate
writer, says that she died at " Hereby, Co. Nottingham," This event appears to
have happened in November, 1290, and though the King was then marching with
Ms army against the Scots, he suspended his expedition, and is said to have returned
in procession with the funeral to Westminster. At the places, probably near a re-
ligious house, where the corpse halted for a night, the King afterwards ordered a
sumptuous cross to be erected. § As Mr. Gough has already investigated and de-
veloped this subject, I shall confine the following account to the three crosses at
Geddington, Northampton, and Waltham.
I have unsuccessfully endeavoured to ascertain who was the architect and sculptor
of these structures; what orders were issued from the monarch on the occasion;
what were the expenses, &c. Vertue and Walpole conjecture that they were
designed by Peter Cavallini, a Roman sculptor, brought from Rome either by
* Du Fresme Gloss, sub voce crux. + Ibi<J- , . ,r.
X Vc-tusta Monumenta, vol. iii. where there are some interesting particulars relating to King Edward and
his beloved consort.
S One of these have been already noticed, in the account of Dunstaple.—Arch. Antiqs. Ft. I. C.
Kitchen, and St. Joseph's Chapel, are yet remaining at this town : these constitute
several very picturesque views, and display some interesting specimens of ancient
architecture.
Crosses of Memorial.—Among the Catholic customs of former times, we find
it was usual to erect crosses where the bodies of eminent persons reposed, or halted
in their way to interment. A series of these formerly stood by the side of the road
which communicated between Paris and St. Denis, where the Kings of France were
usually interred.* A wooden one was also raised on a bridge where the relics of
St. Wandrigisilius rested :f but the most memorable and interesting objects of this
kind, were those which King Edward the First of England erected, at the different
stages where the corpse of Queen Eleanor rested, in its progress from Nottingham-
shire to London. Mr. Gough| states, that there were fifteen of these elegant
structures originally, but only three are now remaining; and such is the peculiar
beauty and variety of these, as specimens of architecture, and productions of art,
that we cannot but sincerely regret the destruction and loss of the others. Historians
differ respecting the place and time of this Queen's death, and also concerning the
number of crosses erected. Mr. Sandford, who appears to be the most accurate
writer, says that she died at " Hereby, Co. Nottingham," This event appears to
have happened in November, 1290, and though the King was then marching with
Ms army against the Scots, he suspended his expedition, and is said to have returned
in procession with the funeral to Westminster. At the places, probably near a re-
ligious house, where the corpse halted for a night, the King afterwards ordered a
sumptuous cross to be erected. § As Mr. Gough has already investigated and de-
veloped this subject, I shall confine the following account to the three crosses at
Geddington, Northampton, and Waltham.
I have unsuccessfully endeavoured to ascertain who was the architect and sculptor
of these structures; what orders were issued from the monarch on the occasion;
what were the expenses, &c. Vertue and Walpole conjecture that they were
designed by Peter Cavallini, a Roman sculptor, brought from Rome either by
* Du Fresme Gloss, sub voce crux. + Ibi<J- , . ,r.
X Vc-tusta Monumenta, vol. iii. where there are some interesting particulars relating to King Edward and
his beloved consort.
S One of these have been already noticed, in the account of Dunstaple.—Arch. Antiqs. Ft. I. C.