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A pair of Saxon crosses in the Market Square. The taller cross has a mutilated head and the shorter one has a truncated shaft with the mutilated head of another cross. Both crosses are decorated on all faces with carved figures, animals and vine scrolls. The taller cross has biblical scenes, depicting Christ's progress to Calvary, the Annunciation, the Crucifixion, the Adoration of the Magi, the Nativity and the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. The smaller cross has less narrative ornament, except on the west face where there are depictions of the Transfiguration, the Adoration of Virgin and Child and the Adoration of Christ Other faces depict a variety of figures, animals and foliate ornament. Both crosses were standing in the reign of Elizabeth I but, in the seventeenth century, the central part of the large cross and some fragments of the other were taken by Sir John Crewe to Utkinton and erected there.
Evidence suggests the crosses were carved at an important creative workshop at or near Sandbach. This may have been attached to a monastic establishment and supports the suggestion that the town was the site of a Saxon Minster. They may commemorate the introduction of Christianity in Mercia by Peada, son of Penda, King of Mercia, in 653 AD.
Title
Sandbach Crosses
Date
early 19th C
Medium
sandstone
Measurements
H 480 x W (?) x D (?) cm
Accession number
CW11_ML_S017
Work type
Cross
Owner
Cheshire East Council
Custodian
Cheshire East Council
Work status
extant
Listing status
Grade I (England and Wales)
Listing date
30/11/25
Inscription description
inscribed on plaque: SANDBACH CROSSES / THESE CROSSES ARE IN THE CARE / OF THE MINISTRY OF WORKS / IT IS AN OFFENCE TO INJURE / OR DEFACE THEM; inscribed on plaque: SANDBACH CROSSES / COMPLETED IN THE 9TH CENTURY AD / TO COMMEMORATE THE / ADVENT OF CHRISTIANITY / IN THIS KINGDOM OF MERCIA / ABOUT 633 AD IN THE REIGN OF / THE SAXON KING PENDA / RESTORED IN 1816 BY / SIR JOHN EGERTON AFTER / DESTRUCTION BY ICONOCLASTS