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 structures were incorpo rated with or surmounted by a crucifix, the term cross was so indelibly associated with them that it survived the religious character of the fabrics. The earliest examples of this kind consisted. probably, of tall crucifixes of wood, such as arc still seen by the wayside 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 diameter which they latterly possessed. Of the larger orna mental crosses of this kind, there are some strik ing specimens in England. such as that at Cheddar in Somersetshire, and that at Malmes bury in Wiltshire: both are open-vaulted struc tures, with a commodious space beneath. as a refuge for poor duritig rain. and surmounted with a kind of Gotha? turret. At Chichester. Bristol. and Winchester, the market crosses, while similar in form, are of a higher arellitectural quality. Adjoining Saint Paul's in London. stood Paul's Cross, a structure which we read of as early as 1259. in the reign of lIenry III. It was essentially a town preaching cross, and is associated with some interesting ocenrrenees in history. Before this cross the unfortunate Jane Shore, the mist'ress of Edwa•i 1V. from 1470 to 1153, was forced to do penance in the reign of Richard Hen. Dr. Sinove, iu his infamous S11111011, attempted to bastardize the children of Edward and eulogized Richard. In front of this cross sat Cardinal Wolsey, to hear fulminations against Luther; and about ten years later, by order of Henry VIII., 1)11111'11er; here delivered sermons in in vm- of the Reforma tion. At this cross 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, because they offended the Puritan,, it was demolished by order of Parlia ment. Whatever waA the original form of Paul's Cross, it was in later times a plain, puipit-like fabric of wood, covered with lead.
The Scottish town crosses, while simple. had sonic distinguishing features. The more simple kind consisted of a shaft of stone. generally octangular in shape, and 12 or more feet in height. At the top was an ornamental capital, which bore a dial and vane, or the figure of a. unicorn. The shaft sprang from the top of a graduated flight of circular or octangular steps.
specimen of this species of cross is seen in the market-place of Alelrose. The grander market cross consisted of a tall stone shaft, such as just described. but instead of steps it sprang from the centre of an imposing sub structure. This structure was circular. hexag onal, or octagonal, and from 10 to 16 feet high. The top formed a platform, which was sur rounded with an ornamental stone parapet, and was reached by a stair inside. The sides of the building were decorated with pilasters, and bore heraldic and other devices. Such were the of Edinburgh, and such is the reno vated cross of Aberdeen, the sides of which, how ever. are open. their religions character, the Scottish market crosses were employed for royal and civic proclamations, and as places Where certain judicial writs were executed. The general removal of these ancient and int crest ing structures has often been a matter of lamen tation.
In the history of the cross as a Christian symbol, it is evident that it. was used at first as a symbol of triumph. not of suffering. In the sarcophagi and mosaics from the fourth to the ninth century it often stands alone on the sacred rock from which flow the Four Rivers of Paradise. It is smnetinles sormountei by the Constant Mien monogram of Christ, the Labarum, and thus became the standard of victorbills ChriStiallity. It was inscribed within the circle around the head of Christ. thus the cruciform nimbus (q.v.). As an emblem of Christ. it preceded the crucifix. and it was not until the tenth and 'eleventh centuries that the figure of Christ had quite replaced on the cross the ornamentation •hieh had previous ly been its usual decoration. Even When the monumental ;•rucifixes had come into general use in central and southern Europe, the North ern nations (e.g. in (lreat Britain and Scandi: navia) continued for centuries the use of the mere eross. The forni of the cross given to the majority of churches in the later 1\ fiddle is more connected with the specific crucifixion than the mere cross, as is shown by the bend sometimes given in some church grontabplans, imitated from the twi,t, of the body on the cross. Consult.: Stockbauer. Kuusigcschichte Keen acs (Sehanall,cn, 1870) ; Das holt:: and fir Iiren;:ianny (Breslau, IS7SI Doldwri, Zni Entstebungsycsrhiehte des h oozes (18tiO) ; Bun sen, Das Nymbot des Krenzes bei alien Nalionea ( Iterlin. 1870 Alger, History of the Cross (Boston, 1838) ; Mortillet, Le siyn• de la croix (want christianismc (Paris, P.466) ; Dims Been: Christi Willersloh, 15'75),