Mark my confesion: It wasn’t intentional, it was quite accidental, my attention down rather than up. in my need to exclude the non-consenting general public I lopped off the cross at the top.
Wymondham Market Cross (absent the cross): 26th February 2019
Though neither round nor square, I claim this neither/nor octagon for the #2019picoftheweek title: Square/Round.
[For details of #2019picoftheweek challenge see MariaAntonia]
Wymondham Market Cross dates to 1617, when it replaced the previous cross that, alas, had been crisped and charred in a fire. The arsonists later paid their dues here (tried, sentenced and hanged).
Why a market cross? Well, these originally stood in the churchyard, where all markets, fairs, land transactions and marriages occurred … deals made in the sight of God were considered secure. But in C14th the Church got uppitty and said enough’s enough, there’s to be no more. And so the market crosses were moved to sites more secular. Some, like this one, then grew to be notable places. Here the guilds met. Here the taxes were paid. Here disputes were settled. And here the criminals tried.
The upper chamber now functions as the Tourist Information Office.
crispina kemp 
Wymondham Market Sans-Cross dates to 2019… Taking history into your own hands now I see…. Love the backstory you provided on this..
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I thank you. When I realised I’d choppedthe cross I checked through all the shots but … too many people crowded the scene, or the cross just couldn”t be seen. And so … But I did confess …
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So this is what the Internet looked like in 1617? 😉
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Indeed it did. And you had to pay for the information, too. And those who tried to skip the charges were likely to be hanged. Now you can’t say Google’s as bad as that! 🙂
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Now they send drones.
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Indeed. Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes 🙂
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I like how you went with a different shape! 😉
And I absolutely loved reading about the history of this. (I totally geek out about history!) Thanks!
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I was going to do more for the history but time was pressing. I covered the essentials. 🙂
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This looks so fresh and new. ,
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I guess it’s had a lick of paint over the years. And I did notice the stairs looked like recent renovation. But otherwise, 1617 it is.
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Wow. Good maintenance 😁
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It’s an historical monument, a tourist attraction in a very small town. The parish council has ample incentive to tale good care of it.
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Yes. Indeed. Natural for them to care.
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🙂
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I think you subconsciously lopped off the cross… say what you will 😉 Lopping not quite as dramatic as crisped and charred but still 🙂
Churches do like to get uppity on occasion.
Great job, Crispina!
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I thank you, Dale. I have a soft spot for the town of Wymondham. It brims with history. (Besides, I went to school nearby)
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An added plus…
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Indeed. 🙂
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Interesting…you’ve added to my knowledge today, thank you 🙂
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My pleasure. What is a day without you learn something new, now matter haw minor and how irrelevant to your needs for life. 🙂
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Exactly, I agree 🙂
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Ironic the church got uppity about such grubby transactions taking place on its grounds in the 14thC when at that time it was still selling relics, still selling prayers for the souls of the dead, charging tithes … lovely pic, Crispina and never be afraid to share more history – love it!
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Yea, agreed on that. And when you think how wealthy the church became, and still is.
I held back on the history because most of it requirrs additional background information. The likes of you and I might be okay with Kett’s Rebellion, know about Enclosures and what was going on with the young King Edward (Henry VIII’s son) and Lord Somerset who was supposed to guide him, but not so our transatlantic cousins. Thus, even to say of Robert Kett requires an essay. And this past week I’ve really been tight on time.
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Hello! I happen to have a few writings about Wymondham, including the Market Cross. I hope you like them:
https://sarahwrotesomething.com/2018/06/25/a-poem-for-wymondham-abbey/
https://sarahwrotesomething.com/2019/03/13/oak-tree/
https://sarahwrotesomething.com/2018/06/25/market-cross/
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And so I visited, and as you can see, I read several posts, and left some comments. And I’m glad to have made your acquaintance.
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