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The Headless Cross
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The Headless Cross located at the Arboretum 1892 - 1979 |
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Photo c 1960 - 69 courtesy of Don Farnsworth
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The Rose Hill recreation ground is visible through the trees on the left, behind the cross. The Headless Cross, also known as the "Vinegar Stone", or the "Plague Stone" part of a medieval stone cross, was removed from Friargate (Formerly Nun's Green) and relocated at the Arboretum in 1892. It was returned to Friargate in June 1979 and placed close to its original location. |
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18th century housing, now offices, are located along Friar Gate, this photo show the current location of the cross in relation to the buildings |
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The Headless Cross was used as a Market Stone by the townspeople during a visitation of the Plague during 1665. A Market Stone would have been located at the border between the town and the rural community (a number of these stones are to be found around the UK). Farmers would refuse to enter a town during a "visitation" of the plague for fear of being infected. Goods would be deposited by the farmers at the Market Stone, where the towns people would leave money in a bowl of vinegar on top of the stone in the belief that the vinegar disinfected their money and would prevent the spread of the Plague. |
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This photo shows the location of the cross in relation to Ashbourne Road and Brick Street (background right). |
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A plaque mounted, in the stone, gives an account of the cross's history |
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The top of the Headless Cross, this shows the trough in which vinegar was kept. Money would have been placed in the vinegar in the belief that it would disinfect it of the Plague. |
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