# Chester High Cross

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chester_High_Cross
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chester_High_Cross.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_High_Cross
> Source revision: 1347912361
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{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](/source/Chester_Cross_(junction))| 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](/source/Chester), [Cheshire](/source/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](/source/Chester), [Cheshire](/source/Cheshire), England.  It stands in front of [St&nbsp;Peter's Church](/source/St_Peter's_Church%2C_Chester) at the junction of Watergate Street, Eastgate Street and Bridge Street, a site known as [Chester Cross](/source/Chester_Cross_(junction)).  The cross is recorded in the [National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England) as a designated Grade&nbsp;II [listed building](/source/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&nbsp;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](/source/crucifix) on its top.  The cross was [gilded](/source/Gilding) 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](/source/Roundheads) during the [Civil War](/source/English_Civil_War) in 1646.  The base and shaft were saved and kept in the grounds of Sir&nbsp;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&nbsp;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](/source/sandstone).  It consists of a crown surmounted by a [finial](/source/finial) with a ball on its top.  It stands on a shaft on a [plinth](/source/plinth) below which are three steps.  The head is hexagonal, while the shaft, steps and plinth are octagonal.  The head, and possibly the [moulded](/source/Molding_(decorative)) base of the shaft, date from the 14th&nbsp;century; the rest of the structure is modern.  The head is badly weathered; [niches](/source/Niche_(architecture)) 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](/source/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)](/source/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

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chester High Cross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_High_Cross) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_High_Cross?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.