Market Cross

"At the south-west corner of the Free Library can still be seen a portion of the old Cauld-stean, a corruption of call stone, from which all proclamations were called prior to the institution of the bellman. It is supposed to have been a portion of the octagon base to the ancient market cross, which was removed from the centre of Stricklandgate in 1765 when the increasing vehicular traffic required the removal of such an obstruction. There is a story told of some mischievous boys rolling this historic stone down to the Elephant Yard Entry, much to the consternation of the worthy burghers, but fortunately for their equanimity, it was quickly restored to its former position of honour.

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According to some old plans the Market Cross seems to have been some-what ornate in design, standing on an angular basement, and a few aged inhabitants can still remember having seen an eight-sided obelisk lying in the stone works of Webster and Holme, New In Yard, and that it was spoken of as the old Market Cross pedestal.

Market crosse originated in towns near to some monastic establishment, to which the Order sent a monk or friar on market days to preach to the assembled farm people. Their endevour seems to have been to excite public homage to religion, and to inspire men with a sense of morality and piety amidst the ordinary business of life. The cross also formed a convenient place where the tolls levied on farmers and dealers in country produce, for the privilidge of selling within the town, could be collected. Doubtless the original form of such crosses was simply a shaft raised on steps, but in order to shelter the divine, or the toll-collector, a covering was added in umbrella form, beneath which also the farmers' wives sought shelter in wet weather. The prototype of the covered markets of today.

I have already ... referred to the bringing home of the third Charter, and to the public rejoicings which took place at this cross in 1683. Again, amongst the papers preserved at Levens Hall is a letter from Mr Richard Lowrey to Colonel James Grahme and dated April 23rd, 1702, as follows: - "This being the day of her Majesty's corronation, the Mayor, Aldermen, Burghesses and other went from the public hall to the Cross, with drums and music before them and drank the health of the Queen and Prince George of Denmark on their knees, with the prosperity of the Established Church. In the evening there were illuminations, bonfires, etc., with such joy as I have never seen in this town." The Cauld-stean was used for the last time on December 31st 1864, when the Town Clerk read from thence the abolition of the Kendal tolls. Here for centuries past the farm servants have stood during the hiring fairs, with the symbolic piece of straw in their mouths, and the custom is still known as 'standing the cross'. " John F Curwen, Kirkbie Kendal (1900)