Monument record MDR34 - Cross base, Pym Chair, east of Pym Chair Farm, Hartington Upper Quarter
Type and Period (1)
- CROSS (Saxon to Medieval - 410 AD to 1539 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
In 1905, a table of cross fragments considered to be pre-Norman, included one at Pym Chair, Taxal, described as being 'in situ, a cross stump with a circular socket'. (1)
On the high ground in Cheshire, very near the Derbyshire boundary, is the base of a large early cross called Pym's Chair. The inscribed initials P.C. were probably cut in the 17th century, in connection with a survey. (2)
A piece of crosshead was found in the 1980s by a rambler in a drystone wall at or near Pym Chair. Now in Sheffield City Museum (possibly unpublished). (3)
The cross base is badly weathered, broken and half buried. If it were not for the inscribed initials (now on separate pieces) it would be unrecognisable as of any archaeological interest. The remains are at SK 99567672, exactly on the county boundary; the largest piece, with the initial 'P', carries a benchmark. (4)
The site acquired its name from a non-conformist preacher who is said to have preached here in the 18th century. Immediately adjacent to the road at the ridge-crest, on the south side, are two boulders (or one that has split), with a possible crudely-defined cross socket between them. They are inscribed 'P C'. Other than the initials, the whole could be a fortuitous arrangement. However, three Anglo-Saxon cross fragments were found nearby in 1987 by Clive Hart, confirming that a cross stood somewhere in the vicinity. These are now in Sheffield City Museum. (6)
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SDR941 Article in serial: Andrew, W. 1905. 'The Shall-Cross, a pre-Norman Cross, now at Fernilee Hall', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Volume 27, pp 201-214. p 203.
- <2> SDR95 Bibliographic reference: Cox, J. 1907. Memorials of Old Derbyshire. p 303.
- <3> SDR19261 Correspondence: Sidebottom, P. 1994. Letter regarding Anglo-Saxon stone monuments in Derbyshire, 15th February, 1994. Letter.
- <4> SDR6304 Personal Observation: F1 FRH 10-JAN-66.
- <5> SDR600 Unpublished document: Barnatt, J (PDNPA). 1994. The Goyt Valley, Hartington Upper Quarter, Derbyshire, archaeological survey, 1994. 148. Feature 33, p18.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | SJ 9956 7672 (point) (Centre) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | HARTINGTON UPPER QUARTER, HIGH PEAK, DERBYSHIRE |
| Civil Parish | RAINOW, MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- EDR3759
- EDR953
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External Links (0)
Record last edited
Jul 7 2015 12:52PM