The C. of St. Andrew differed entirely in form from the Latin or Greek cross. This C., or crux decussate, consisted of two shafts of equal length crossed diagonally at the middle, as in the annexed cut. According to the legend, this was the form of C. on which St. Andrew, the national saint of Scotland, suffered martyrdom. As the Scottish ensign, it is now blended with the C. of St. George in the Union Jack.
3Iany very beautiful crosses exist in England, upon the points of gables of churches, on gravestones, and in other situations, as also in heraldry. Among these, the C. most commonly seen is call the O crosslet. In this figure, as seen in the annexed cut, the extremities are intersected, so as to make several small crosses. When employed in ecclesiastical architecture, the figure is usually carved in a florid or highly decorative style. When the C. crosslet is pointed at the lower extremity instead of being crossed, it is in heraldry said to be fitched, or fitchie. It is of frequent use in blazon.
Sanctuary, boundary, or inonumental crosses, as they are called, consist of an upright flat pillar or obelisk, covered with sculptured devices, and set in a socket level with the ground. Occasionally, they appear to have marked boundaries, but more were monuments over the graves of heroes, kings, bishops, etc. In some instances, they probably marked the verge of a sanctuary. The older of these crosses arc said to be bcandinavian or Danish, and such are known as runic crosses, the term rune signifying a superstitious invocation. We are told that the island of Iona at one time possessed 360 crosses, but all are now destroyed or dispersed except one, called St. Martin's cross, standing. in the grounds of the cathedral. It is a column of compact mica schist, 14 ft. high, 18 in. broad, and 6 in. thick, and is fixed in a pedestal formed out of a massive block of red granite, about 3 ft. high. In connection with certain ancient religious houses in Ireland, there were some very fine crosses of this kind; the most gigantic and impressive which still exist being that of St. Luke's in the county of Louth.
_Memorial crosses are those which were erected in memory of some beloved object, or in commemoration of some event of local importance. In England, there are some superb crosses of this kind; they are popularly called Norman crosses. This species of C. resembled a Gothic turret set on the ground, or on a base of a few steps, and was decorated with niches for figures and pinnacles. The best known examples are those erected by Edward L (1290) in memory of his queen, Eleanor; being placed on the spots where the body rested in its funereal progress to Westminster. The crosses at Wal tham, Cheapside, and Charing, were of the number. Those at Cheapside and at Charing are destroyed, but the C. at Waltham, though now much decayed, remains as a testi monial of the affection and piety of the greatest of the Plantagenets.
Town or market crosses were erected as stands to preach from, or in commemoration of events regarding which it was deemed proper to evoke pious feelings. As these struc tures were incorporated with or surmounted by a crucifix, the term cross was so indeli bly associated with them that it survived the religious character of the fabrics. "The general intent of market-crosses was to excite public homage to the religion of Christ crucified, and to inspire men with a sense of morality and piety amidst the ordinary transactions of life."—Milner's History of Rinchester. The earliest examples of this kind consisted, probably, of tall crucifixes of wood, such as are still seen by the waysides in some continental countries. Afterwards, stone shafts would be substituted; and according to the increase of market revenues, or progress of taste, these town crosses assumed that imposing character which they latterly possessed. Of the larger orna mental crosses of this kind, there are some striking specimens in England. We may refer to that at Cheddar in Somersetshire, and that at Malmesbury in Wiltshire; both are open vaulted structures, with a commodious space beneath, as a refuge for poor market-folks during rain, and surmounted with a kind of Gothic turret. At Chichester, Bristol, and Winchester, the market-crosses, while similar in form, are of a higher architectural quality. See Britton's Architectural Antiquities. Adjoining St. Paul's in London, stood Paul's C., a structure which we read of as early as 1250, in the reign of Henry III. It was essentially a town-preaching C., and is associated with some interest ing occurrences in history. Before this C. the unfortunate Jane Shore was forced to do penance in the reign of Richard III., to whose malice she was made a victim. This event was followed by Dr. Shave's infamous sermon, attempting to bastardize the chil dren of Edward, and eulogizing Richard, who was present on the occasion. In front of this C. sat cardinal Wolsey, to hear fulminations against Luther; and about ten years later, by order of Henry VIII., preachers .here delivered sermons in favor of the reformation. At this C., queen Elizabeth attended to hear a thanksgiving sermon for the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Here, sermons continued to be delivered until 1643, when, with other so-called relics of popery, the C. incurred the displeasure of the Puri tans. and was demolished by order of parliament. Whatever was the original form of Paul's C., it was in later times a plain pulpit-like fabric of wood, covered with lead, and was provided with seats for an audience. This inoffensive and really useful preaching C., which we could wish had been spared, stood on the n. side of the church, a little to the e. of Cannon Alley.