{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}} {{Infobox Historic Site | name = Chester High Cross| native_name = | image = Chester Landmarks (1414475330).jpg| image_size = 200| caption = Chester High Cross standing at the junction of streets known as Chester Cross| locmapin = Cheshire| map_width = 200| map_caption = Location in Cheshire | coordinates = {{coord|53.190290|-2.891635|scale:2000|display=inline,title}} | location = Chester Cross, Chester, Cheshire, England | gbgridref = SJ 405 662| area = | elevation = | formed = | founded = | built = | built_for = | demolished = | rebuilt = | restored = | restored_by = | architect = | architecture = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | designation1 = Grade II| designation1_offname = Chester High Cross| designation1_type = | designation1_criteria = | designation1_date = 28 July 1955| delisted1_date = | designation1_parent = | designation1_number = 1376246| designation1_free1name = | designation1_free1value = | designation1_free2name = | designation1_free2value = | designation1_free3name = | designation1_free3value = | designation2 = | designation2_offname = | designation2_type = | designation2_criteria = | designation2_date = | delisted2_date = | designation2_parent = | designation2_number = | designation2_free1name = | designation2_free1value = | designation2_free2name = | designation2_free2value = | designation2_free3name = | designation2_free3value = }}
'''Chester High Cross''' is in Chester, Cheshire, England. It stands in front of St Peter's Church at the junction of Watergate Street, Eastgate Street and Bridge Street, a site known as Chester Cross. The cross is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.<ref name=images>{{NHLE |num= 1376246|desc= Chester High Cross |access-date= 15 July 2012|mode=cs2}}</ref>
==History== The original cross dated from the 14th century.<ref name=images/> This cross was replaced by a new one in 1476. It consisted of an octagonal pillar surmounted by a carved head and a crucifix on its top. The cross was gilded in 1603.<ref>{{Citation | last = Thacker| first = A. T.| last2 = Lewis | first2 = C. P. (eds.)| year = 2005| title = Local government and public services: Municipal buildings| volume = 5, Part 2| series = A History of the County of Chester: The City of Chester: Culture, Buildings, Institutions | pages = 15–20| url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=57302&strquery=high%20cross | access-date = 11 August 2009}}</ref> It was damaged and broken up by the Parliamentarians during the Civil War in 1646. The base and shaft were saved and kept in the grounds of Sir John Cotgreave at Netherleigh.<ref>{{Cite PastScape |num= 69180 |desc= Chester High Cross|access-date= 15 July 2012|mode=cs2|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> The head and another possible fragments were rediscovered in the 19th century. They were used in a restoration of the cross which was erected near the Newgate in 1949. In 1975 the cross was moved to its present site, near to its original position.<ref name=images/>
==Structure== The cross is constructed in red sandstone. It consists of a crown surmounted by a finial with a ball on its top. It stands on a shaft on a plinth below which are three steps. The head is hexagonal, while the shaft, steps and plinth are octagonal. The head, and possibly the moulded base of the shaft, date from the 14th century; the rest of the structure is modern. The head is badly weathered; niches which formerly contained statues are on each side, but two of these have been weathered away.<ref name=images/>
==Today== {{Float right clear none|thumb|upright|Chester town crier on the cross.}} Chester High Cross stands at the centre of the city of Chester and is a popular meeting point. During the summer months Chester's town crier makes a midday proclamation from its steps.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.chestertowncriers.com/cross.html |title=Chester Cross Proclamation |access-date=15 July 2009 |publisher=Chester Town Criers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107020509/http://www.chestertowncriers.com/cross.html |archive-date=7 January 2009 }}</ref>
==See also== *{{Portal-inline|Cheshire}} *Grade II listed buildings in Chester (central)
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Chester Category:Grade II listed buildings in Chester Category:Tourist attractions in Cheshire Category:High crosses in England Category:Monumental crosses in England Category:Monuments and memorials in Cheshire