Information for record number MWA2538:
Gaveston's Cross

Summary A sandstone cross marks the spot where Piers Gaveston was beheaded in 1311. The cross was erected during the Imperial period and lies on Blacklow Hill, north of Warwick
What Is It?  
Type: Commemorative Monument, Cross
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Leek Wootton and Guys Cliffe
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 28 67
(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: )
Listed Building (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 A sandstone cross on Blacklow Hill marks the place where Piers Gaveston was beheaded in 1311.
2 1832 by J C Jackson. Heavy short cross on a high pedestal of four mighty square Piers.
3 Part of the stone base of the cross has fallen away.
4 The inscription on the plaque reads, 'In the hollow of this rock was beheaded on the 17 day of July 1312, by barons lawless as himself, Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall, the minion of a hateful king, in life and death a memorable instance of misrule.'
5 Colour photograph.
6 Correspondence from 1965 about cleaning the cross.
7 Note about the condition of the cross.
 
Sources

Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Buildings of England: Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pevsner N and Wedgwood A
Date: 1966
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warwicks
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 6, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1951
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: VI
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Gaveston Cross
Author/originator: Hunt, Peter
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Stratford
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Note
Title: Gaveston Cross
Author/originator:
Date: 1990
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Photograph
Title: Gaveston's Cross
Author/originator: Unknown
Date: Unknown
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Pehrson B
Date: 1983
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 3081
   
Images:  
Gaveston's Cross, Blacklow Hill, near Warwick
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
Gaveston's Cross, a monument commemorating the place where Piers Gaveston was beheaded in 1311
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1860s
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
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 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
period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument HOLLOW * A hollow, concave formation or place, which has sometimes been dug out. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument COMMEMORATIVE MONUMENT * A building, structure or landscape created to commemorate a person or event. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument PEDESTAL * A concrete, cylindrical pedestal on which a spigot mortar was mounted. The pedestal is often the only evidence for a Spigot Mortar emplacement to survive. back
monument PIER * A structure of iron or wood, open below, running out into the sea and used as a promenade and landing stage. 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 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 PLAQUE * An ornamental, commemorative tablet. Use with materials field when indexing. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record