Introduction to the Crosses
From the dawn of Christianity the cross has been the symbol of our belief. The first sign by which Christians recognised each other in time of persecution and when danger passed became mark of faith - notice necklaces etc. Derided by Pagans as a brand of ignominy and shame, adopted by his followers as standard of crucified and banner under which carry on warfare against evil. Erection of crosses became general in England soon after the introduction of Christianity among Anglo-Saxons. In the first place they were erected as a terror to evil spirits and as a reminder of Holy Religion. One of their first uses was a place from which the Celtic missionaries told the story of the cross to wondering pagans i.e. they were the first churches. Simpler and ruder forms were followed by more elaborate and ornate designs, stone replacing wood. Shafts were mounted on steps thus making it easier to preach from.
Market crosses were erected in the larger towns (a covered area for shelter soon followed). Their presence was thought to overawe traders into greater honesty. Crosses were erected to commemorate great victories or memorable events. Some were resting places for funeral processions of illustrious persons on the way to the place of internment, so passers-by might be admonished to say a prayer for the soul of the departed (Charing Cross is but one example of a series of crosses erected wherever the body of Queen Eleanor rested on the way to internment in compliance with the directions of her will.) Frequently one would be erected where four roads meet (hence cross-roads) or at the edge or center of a village. When perambulations or boundary processionists rested or regaled themselves. They marked the site of a murder, accident, or sudden death. They were frequently used to mark divisions of parishes. Turning points on public roads were marked by them.
They may simply have served as marker points for travellers i.e. they acted like cairns. Churchyard crosses were popular.
Towns and villages were the centers of civic life, so crosses were erected in them as places where tolls and dues could be collected, meetings could be held notices displayed and public declarations made. (A painting by Ralph Hedley, 1848 -1913, displayed in the Laing Gallery, Newcastle, "Proclaiming the Stagshaw Fair at Corbridge" affords an excellent example.) They were set up that alms could be left for the poor - he begs like a cripple at a cross.