Jump to content

Buttercross

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Butter cross)

A buttercross in Oakham
The 17th-century buttercross in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.
Barnard Castle Market Cross

A buttercross, butter cross or butter market cross is a type of market cross associated with English market towns and dating from medieval times. The name originates from the fact that the crosses were located in market places, where people would gather to buy locally produced butter and other dairy products.[1] The fresh produce was laid out and displayed on the circular stepped bases of the cross.

Their design varies from place to place, but they are often covered by some type of roof to offer shelter. The roofs were generally added at a much later date than the construction of the original cross.

Known buttercrosses

[edit]

Examples from most parts of England include:

[edit]

Media related to Butter crosses at Wikimedia Commons

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Peyton, Jane (5 September 2012). Brilliant Britain. Summersdale. ISBN 978-0-85765-790-9.