Information for record number MWA1227:
Market Cross in Market Place, Henley in Arden.

Summary The remains of a Medieval market cross which stands 100m north of St John's Church.
What Is It?  
Type: Cross, Market Cross
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Henley in Arden
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 15 66
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 The base, shaft and capital are composed of 3 separate stones; the shaft being morticed into the base and capital. On the 4 faces of the capital were niches, containing, 1. The Rood; 2. The Trinity; 3. St Peter with his key; the 4th has fallen away. The head of this 'highly superstitious' cross is reported to have been preserved from destruction by having been covered by a shed for many years.
2 The empty niche probably once contained the Virgin and child. Towards the end of the last century a heavy iron palisade was erected around the cross for protection and at a later date the shaft was secured with iron supports. New iron railings were set up prior to 1933.
3 Square socket on 2 steps. Octagonal shaft changing to Square where it enters the socket stone.
4 The head was in situ in 1863 but had fallen by 1894. The cross has been much restored.
5 The complete shaft, (head missing), octagon base and steps, all considerably weathered. The shaft is supported by iron stays.
7 The iron railings have now been removed, but the iron supports remain. The stone of the shaft is flaking away, but the base is still in fair condition.
9 Listed building description.
10 Letter from the DoE about proposed repairs.
11Monument boundary moved to actual position.
 
Sources

Source No: 9
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1960
Page Number: 5
Volume/Sheet: Stratford-on-Avon Ru
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Gents Mag
Author/originator:
Date: 1815
Page Number: 129
Volume/Sheet: Feb
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Forest of Arden
Author/originator: Hannett J
Date: 1894
Page Number: 45
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Market Cross, Henley in Arden
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: TBAS vol 68
Author/originator: Nelson J
Date: 1952
Page Number: 86
Volume/Sheet: 68
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Photograph
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: PJA
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 805
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 25NE6
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Market Cross, Henley in Arden
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: SAM list
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1985
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: PJA
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1234
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Verbal communication
Title: Pers. Comm.
Author/originator: B Gethin
Date: 2013 onwards
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
A market cross in Henley in Arden
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1979
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Scheduled Monument Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.

SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
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designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source SAM List Scheduled Ancient Monument List. A list or schedule of archaelogical and historic monuments that are considered to be of national importance. The list contains a detailed description of each Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) and a map showing their location and extent. By being placed on the schedule, SAMs are protected by law from any unauthorised distrubance. The list has been compiled and is maintained by English Heritage. It is updated periodically. back
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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monument SHAFT * Use only if function unknown, otherwise use specific type. back
monument MARKET CROSS * A cross found in a market place. back
monument PALISADE * An enclosure of stakes driven into the ground, sometimes for defensive purposes. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument BOUNDARY * The limit to an area as defined on a map or by a marker of some form, eg. BOUNDARY WALL. Use specific type where known. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FAIR * A site where a periodical gathering of buyers, sellers and entertainers, meet at a time ordained by charter or statute or by ancient custom. back
monument RAILINGS * A fence or barrier made of metal or wooden rails. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument SHED * A slight structure built for shelter or storage, or for use as a workshop, either attached as a lean-to to a permanent building or separate. Use more specific type where known. back
monument CROSS * A free-standing structure, in the form of a cross (+), symbolizing the structure on which Jesus Christ was crucified and sacred to the Christian faith. Use specific type where known. back
monument STEPS * A series of flat-topped structures, usually made of stone or wood, used to facilitate a person's movement from one level to another. back
monument FOREST * A large tract of land covered with trees and interspersed with open areas of land. Traditionally forests were owned by the monarchy and had their own laws. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record