248 



within the iTiiused precincts of the Castle. It was within the precincts 

 of the Castle [and honor] tif AVhorlton (it may have heen Avithin 

 the precincts of the Castle if, as I think possible, the precincts 

 included a very much extended area), and neither more or less than 

 that is probably what was intended." This is a point which, we fear, 

 will have to remain unsettled. The foundations of the Castle were 

 dug up in the quadrangle as we have seen. It is worth notitig, 

 however, that the two arches at the AVest end of the Church were 

 built on to the Xornian !N'ave, about the time of Eichard II., Avhen 

 the present Castle was re-lmilt ; this points to an increase in the 

 population. 



The Church is dedicated to God in the name of the Holy 

 Cross— in allusion to the legend of the finding of the Holy Cross 

 by St. Helen. One hundred and six Churches in England are 

 named " in honour of this festival, some under the name of the 

 Holy Rood and several under the corruption of St. Cross."'" 



One other thing is connected with the Church, the old grant 

 of a fair. " Nicholas de Meinell claims to have a market in 

 Weolton (an error in the MS. for Whorlton) by a charter of my 

 Lord Edward the King, and Avarren park and game."'"' "What 

 these particular privileges of market were we do not know. 



The site of the old market cross is pointed out by local 

 tradition as being about 100 yards or so S.E of the Churchyard, 

 where there is a dip in the field by the lane 



In those days markets were commonly held in or near to 

 Churchyards ; the Church and Churchyard were the only places 

 of resort in most parishes The market cross was set up here for 

 the sake of reverence, and the influence of religion in making 

 people honest io their transactions. When markets were removed 

 to towns the fairs were opened by the Parish Priest, thus giving 

 the proceedings the sanction of religion. " Every toAvn had its 

 cross at which engagements, whether of a religious or worldly 

 interest, were entered into.'*'" 



(1) Parker 's Calendar of tlie Prayer Book. 



(2) Kiikliy's Inquest, Vol. 39, Surtees Society. Note, on July 16tli, 



53 Henry III. the King granted a cliarter of free \varrcn, market, 

 ete., in "\Velverton (Wliorlton) to Nicholas de i\Ieinell, which was 

 continued by Ed. I. Nov. 24th, 1281, on the authority of Ord. 

 (-3) Brady's Calendaria. 



I 



