Browse crosses

 
Location:  Set back into the hedge at the end of the roadside garden wall at Southcott Cross Cottage, about 2½ miles to the west of Okehampton

Grid Ref:  550 948          Map location:  Click here to view map.

Purpose:  Waymarker Cross

Size:  6 feet 3 inches (1.91 metres) tall. 2 feet 5 inches (0.74 metres) across the arms. The shaft is both 14 inches (0.36 metres) wide and deep. The incised figure on the roadside face measures 20½ inches (0.52 metres) tall by 16 inches (0.41 metres) across the arms.

Information:  This cross is very rare, if not unique, in Devon in having a human figure incised on its roadside face. Although partly obscured by lichen, this can be seen to be in the form of a crucified person. Some time ago, English Heritage issued an information sheet on this cross, which reported the presence of another incised figure at the back of the cross. It was suggested that this was in the form of the figure of a monk in prayer or the Virgin Mary with hands clasped. With the kind permission of the current resident of the cottage, I had the opportunity of delving behind his bushes in the garden to look at the back of the cross. Although I am able to confirm that this face is incised, I’m afraid that it wasn’t clear enough for me to be able to add anything to the English heritage report.

This substantial octagonal cross is in very good condition with no obvious sign of repair. It has an unusually tall head, which measures 17½ inches (0.45 metres) from the top of the arms to the top of the cross. The cross shaft tapers slightly upwards. There is a hole in the end of the right hand arm, which measures 1¾ inches in diameter and 2 inches deep.

I’ve not been able to discover very much about the history of this cross. It is probably of 13th century origin, but the first records of it are from its current position in the early 19th century. Harry Starkey suggests that it could, originally, have been a waymarker for the Cistercian Monks of Brightley Priory, which stood on the banks of the West Okement River, near Okehampton Castle. The Priory was founded in 1133 but, although the monks were later moved to Ford Abbey, the building remained as a chapel until the mid 16th century.