Cornish Crosses  

By Andrew Langdon

 For the Federation of  Old Cornwall Societies

Questions and Answers

Which is the tallest cross in Cornwall?

This depends on whether you count the stone below ground level or not.  The cross in Mylor churchyard when set up in the 19^th century was measured at 17ft 6ins, however when it was set up 7feet of the shaft was buried below ground level.

The tallest cross above ground level is in the churchyard at Quethiock near Liskeard; measures 13ft 4ins, followed by St Teath (in the cemetery) a close second measuring 13ft 1in.

Which is the smallest wheel-headed cross in Cornwall?

Again this can be contested, but if one excludes gable crosses, the cross on Treslea Downs in Cardinham would be the smallest.

 Which cross has the largest diameter cross-head?

The cross with the largest diameter cross-head is the churchyard cross at Cardinham, with a diameter of 3ft (0.92M).   Carminow Cross near Bodmin comes a close second with a diameter of 2ft 11 ½ins (0.9M).

Which is the Cornish cross that has been moved the farthest?

Several Cornish crosses have been moved out of the county especially during the Victorian period, some to neighbouring Devon, one to Hampshire and one to Sussex. However one latin cross from the parish of St Michael Penkivel was shipped over to Canada and today is situated in the parish church at West Flamborough, near Hamilton in Ontario.

Which cross has been moved the most times?

The Lantern cross-head discovered at Trewane Manor in St Kew has been moved at least four times, to property owned by the Grylls family at Luxulyan, Helston and St Neot, before being set up in the churchyard at St Neot.

Which is the earliest recorded Cornish cross in a document?

This is St Piran’s Cross which is allegedly the Christel Mael that is recorded in a charter dated 960AD as a boundstone marking the manor of Tywarnhayle.  The manor consisted of Perranzabuloe, St Agnes and part of Illogan parishes.

What is the main difference between crosses set up in the countryside in Cornwall and those in neighbouring Devonshire?

The majority of Cornish crosses are wheel-headed, whereas those in Devon are almost  all Latin style crosses.   However they often serve a similar purpose, marking church paths and boundaries.

What is the most visited Cornish Cross?

Probably St Piran’s Cross on Penhale Sands, Perranzabuloe, which today is seen as an iconic symbol of Cornwall, a cultural symbol as well as a religious one.

How old are Cornwall’s crosses?

Many of the churchyard crosses date from the later 9^th century, while wayside and boundary crosses appear in the 12^th century onwards.  The sculptured Lantern crosses were the final style of cross carved in Cornwall and date from the 15^th century right up to the Reformation.