xill 
iron collar, from the side of which four bars proceeded to the 
upper steps, and thus it was supported on the column or pillar 
of the cross. Over this capital the cross was fixed. The whole 
being in a very mutilated state, and occupying a large space oppo- 
site the Ram Inn, it was taken down about the year 1785.” 
Brief as this account is, it obviously refers to the cross now 
standing in Oakley Park, and although since that period it has 
become still more mutilated, it fortunately retains, in its principal 
features, sufficent evidence to prove its identity. Assuming it to 
be a work of the fourteenth century, this cross affords a good 
illustration of the style of decorative art expended upon these 
ecclesiastical monuments. It is however by no means perfect. 
The only part of the original structure which has survived the 
ravages of time, being the more solid portions, such as the pedes- 
tal, shaft, and fragments of the capital. 
Differing from the ordinary road-side, or churchyard crosses, 
which are so numerous in this county, it will be seen that this 
cross possesses an architectural beauty not at all common in such 
edifices. 
The pedestal is hewn out of a single —-—~— 
block of stone, three feet square by two = — 
feet six inches in height, and presents on 
each of its sides, a facade, ornamented with 
four deeply chiselled gothic arcades, sur- 
mounted by pannelled quatrefoils, which 
are overhung to the extent of some inches 
by adeep moulded coping. It rests ona i 
plinth which is placed on a heavy basement se LS 
step, too heavy to be in character with the il i 
rest of the building. From the centre of i 
the pedestal springs a remarkably fine octagonal shaft, a solid 
stone six feet four inches in height and one foot in diameter, 
having rounded flutings at the angles, and the remains of four 
broaches at the socket. It is conjectured, by the presence of 
these broaches, that originally the shaft was set in a smaller block, 
thus bringing the termination to a square; which supposition 
would render the design more harmonious, by taking off the ap- 
parent abruptness of so small a column rising from so large a 
pedestal. 
With reference to the capital, what remains of it is too much 
broken and obscured by the growth of 
patches of moss, to allow the observer to 
do more than distinguish the mere rudi- ge Gia 
ments of the carvings alluded to by Rudder. hg 
But I may remark, by way of example, that 
on the under side of, and as it were sup- 
porting the abacus, there are distinct indi- 
cations of well-executed carvings of angels’ ui 
heads and wings, of which the wood-cut gives a good idea; also in 
nt 
i 
