What is Lady's Cross and why is it there? Some say that it marked the southern boundary of the Beauchief Abbey estate which was founded in the twelfth century by French monks. The remains of their abbey can still be found in Sheffield's southern suburbs. It operated for four hundred years until the middle of the reign of King Henry VIII.
The first known written reference to Lady's Cross occurred in a land deed from 1263 but it is probably much older than that and may have had different iterations through time. There is a significant amount of dressed stone in the area that surrounds the cross today. Its presence there hints at earlier structures. Also the cross we see today is no doubt much shorter than it would have been eight hundred years ago.
I rambled onward for a further half mile and from the western edge of White Edge Moor, I looked towards The Hope Valley. Before backtracking to Lady's Cross, I captured this image:-
The gloomy bulk of The Kinder Plateau broods in the background but closer to my viewpoint, I could easily make out Lose Hill to the left and Win Hill to the right.
Much history is found in ruins.
ReplyDelete1263, that's a long time ago. My ancestors would have still been living in the British Isles at that time. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. The cross is obviously a marker but for what? As you say there are many theories.
ReplyDeleteHave you read any of the Ken Follet, Kingsbridge books? They are works of historical fiction. Along with the great characters, he fills his books with many historical buildings, people and events. They are large books but well worth a read!
I am unsure about which photo of the cross I prefer. They all seem good. Earlier than 1243...amazing!
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic pictures, Neil. Thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me how close to the big city you have this relatively rough-looking countryside.
Seems you had it all to yourself, and a good day to go. The light in late October can be very moody. Wish I was still able to get up there.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about optimal lighting or anything else photography related, but your photos are always exceptionally good.
ReplyDeleteThey are, I think, often set along the way of pilgrim walks, there was a few in North Yorkshire. Beautiful photos of the country around you. The contrast between the towns and moors and hills is so striking.
ReplyDeleteSuper Autumnal photos capturing the isolation and sheer beauty of the moors.
ReplyDeleteLibrarian said what I am constantly thinking about where you live. You live closer to such wild, beautiful lands than I live to the nearest little town.
ReplyDeleteThe cross is so interesting, conjures up all sorts of thoughts as to what it may have been. The landscape around it.... fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMany times as I have been looking at an old relic, pondering the meaning of it, I sometimes pondered if the builder of it had ever taken a break and pondered what future people might think someday of his creation.
ReplyDeleteSo much history and beauty where you live and hike.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty place to ramble
ReplyDeleteI love those great panoramic shots you took, Neil, especially that last one. You sure can see far from where you were standing.
ReplyDeleteIt looks lonely there in that majestic landscape.
ReplyDeleteYour last photo almost doesn't look real. I know you appreciate living in such a beautiful area.
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