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.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking about yourself Red?
Delete1263, that's a long time ago. My ancestors would have still been living in the British Isles at that time. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThe ancestors of all with Anglo Saxon or Celtic heritage in Canada, America, Australia, New Zealand etc would still have been in The British Isles.
DeleteI 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 have never read a book by Ken Follet but I appreciate the recommendation Christina.
DeleteI am unsure about which photo of the cross I prefer. They all seem good. Earlier than 1243...amazing!
ReplyDeleteBut not quite as amazing as the 50,000 years of aboriginal presence in Australia.
DeleteThese 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.
It's like a playground for us.
DeleteSeems 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.
ReplyDeleteYour physical restrictions must be very frustrating.
DeleteI know nothing about optimal lighting or anything else photography related, but your photos are always exceptionally good.
ReplyDeleteThat is so kind of you to say so Elsie.
DeleteThey 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.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the best county for such crosses is Cornwall.
DeleteSuper Autumnal photos capturing the isolation and sheer beauty of the moors.
ReplyDeletePerhaps once those moors was wooded but that was very long ago.
DeleteLibrarian 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.
ReplyDeleteIt's no big mission to get out there to wild country.
DeleteThe cross is so interesting, conjures up all sorts of thoughts as to what it may have been. The landscape around it.... fascinating.
ReplyDeleteHumans always want to unravel mysteries but mystery can be splendid in itself - without being explained away.
DeleteMany 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.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great thought Ed.
DeleteSo much history and beauty where you live and hike.
ReplyDeleteYes. There is a lot to see and pretty close by too.
DeleteSuch a pretty place to ramble
ReplyDeleteWE are lucky to have such beauty on our doorstep.
DeleteI love those great panoramic shots you took, Neil, especially that last one. You sure can see far from where you were standing.
ReplyDeleteThat valley scene fair took my breath away Ellen.
DeleteIt looks lonely there in that majestic landscape.
ReplyDeleteIf only the cross could speak.
DeleteYour last photo almost doesn't look real. I know you appreciate living in such a beautiful area.
ReplyDeletere. the last picture - I could have been there every other day this year and I would never have a got a shot like that one.
DeleteAmazing artifact!
ReplyDeleteIt has endured.
DeleteJudging by your previous post, I can only assume it is the remains of a Yorkshire Pudding (not the blogger).
ReplyDeletePossibly...not!
DeleteBeautiful photos and lighting! Was Lady's Cross actually a cross at some point, or more like a column?
ReplyDeleteMore likely just a taller column. Part of it lies on the ground nearby.
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