History in Structure

Queen Eleanor's Cross

A Grade I Listed Building in Geddington, North Northamptonshire

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Coordinates

Latitude: 52.4379 / 52°26'16"N

Longitude: -0.6856 / 0°41'8"W

OS Eastings: 489446

OS Northings: 283024

OS Grid: SP894830

Mapcode National: GBR DWW.1H1

Mapcode Global: VHFNL.2ZDH

Plus Code: 9C4XC8Q7+5P

Entry Name: Queen Eleanor's Cross

Listing Date: 25 February 1957

Grade: I

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1286992

English Heritage Legacy ID: 231030

Also known as: Eleanor cross, Geddington

ID on this website: 101286992

Location: Geddington, North Northamptonshire, NN14

County: North Northamptonshire

Civil Parish: Geddington

Built-Up Area: Geddington

Traditional County: Northamptonshire

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Northamptonshire

Church of England Parish: Geddington St Mary Magdalene

Church of England Diocese: Peterborough

Tagged with: Eleanor cross

Description


GEDDINGTON SP8883 Queen Eleanor's Cross 1337-0/12/297 25/02/57 GV I Monumental cross. Shortly after 1290. Discreetly restored 1892. Weldon limestone ashlar. Triangular in plan, with a tall, subtly moulded basement divided by a string, with diapering throughout and shields, carved with the arms of England, Leon and Castile, and Ponthieu, to the upper part. The middle section is made up of canopied niches, containing 3 figures of Queen Eleanor. Spikily pinnacled upper part. The cross which doubtless originally crowned the whole is missing. The monument is raised on T hexagonal stone steps, with some blue brick repair. To south is a low block, "built 1789" (on shield), topped by a single massive slab and containing 2 round-headed entrances (with studded round-headed doors) leading to the spring over which the cross is built. A metal plate records that "This monument is in the care of the Ministry of Public Building and Works". It is the best preserved of the 3 survivors (the others are at Hardingstone and Waltham) of 12 crosses erected by Edward I in memory of his wife, Eleanor of Castile, at the resting places of her funeral cortege during its journey from Lincoln to Westminster Abbey after her death in 1290. (At Geddington this was probably the royal hunting lodge which formerly existed north-east of the church) With its subtle geometry, rich decoration and elegant sculpture, this monument is an outstanding example of the court style of Edward I and represents a high point in English Decorated architecture. Scheduled ancient monument.

Listing NGR: SP8944683024

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