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an ample charter for that purpose, the citizens, to commemorate the 

 event, and to show their gratitude and loyalty, rebuilt the removed 

 Cross on the very spot where the old one stood, and embellished it in 

 a most superb manner, placing the statue of King Edward III. 

 together with those of two preceding royal benefactors, very well 

 carved for the time, in the vacant niches of, perhaps, deposed saints. 

 King John was placed northward, fronting Broad Street. He 

 gave the city the first and very extensive charter of privileges, 

 especially all the void ground on the banks of the rivers, 

 thereby to amend the town by building. 

 King Henry III. was fixed fronting Wine Street, eastward. 

 He confirmed Henry 2nd's charter that established it a mayor- 

 town, and also that of King John, and joined Redcliffe to 

 Bristol, making it one corporate town. 

 King Edward III. was fixed facing Com Street, westward. 

 King Edward IV. was added afterwards to the other three figures, 

 and placed to front High Street, southward. 

 Thus it stood, for at least 260 years, greatly admired for its 

 antiquity and its ornaments. But in the year 1633, the city having 

 continued to receive fresh and repeated instances of royal favour, 

 and the Cross itself wanting some necessary repairs, it was taken down 

 in part, enlarged, and raised higher in the same style of architecture, 

 and the following four statues added : — 



King Henry VI. who was placed in a new niche, eastward. He 



granted and confirmed all the charters of his predecessors. 

 Queen Elizabeth, who was placed westward. She also had con- 

 firmed the charters. 

 King Charles I. who was placed northward. He granted a new 

 charter, and sold the castle and its dependencies to the city, 

 which, to the great annoyance of the inhabitants, was before out 

 of the mayor's jurisdiction. 

 King James I. who had renewed the charters, was placed south- 

 ward. 

 Not content with these additions, the citizens caused the Cross to 

 be painted and gilded, and enclosed with an iron pallisade, and 

 surrounded by freestone steps, from whence all public proclamations 

 were read to the people, and which served the market people to sit 

 round when the market was kept in High Street. Its height from the 

 ground was 39 feet 6 inches. In the year 1697, in such public 

 estimation was this Cross held, that it was thought proper to have it 

 fresh painted and gilded, which was done in such a costly manner, 

 that no Cross in the kingdom is said to have exceeded it. 



