174 The Bristol High Cross at Stourhead, Wilts. 
the original rolls, temp. Edward I., still preserved in the Public 
Record Office, referring to the Eleanor Crosses (the terms there 
employed being quoted here in brackets) we may conclude that 
there was an octagonal base supporting a shaft or column (variously 
termed “ virga,” ‘“‘fléche,” “lancea,’”’) surmounted by a head 
(“capitis”) with small figures contained within niches. This part, 
the figures within which would have had a religious meaning, one 
of them probably being a crucifix, was doubtless, as in the case of 
many other crosses, destroyed in the religious troubles of the latter 
half of the sixteenth century. 
In 1633, as Pooley says, “some repairs being necessary ” 
(probably as a result of the injuries last referred to), very important 
additions were made to the Cross, at a cost of £207. These con- 
sisted of another tier of four effigies with canopies (HZ) on which 
was a stage of four pairs of cherubs (IF) supporting shields, with a 
kind of canopy over each; on this was a panelled base (GQ) square 
on plan, supporting a tapered spirelet (H), on each side of which 
was a head in low relief, carved at mid-height, a similar head at 
the top supporting the finial, and an angel in a sitting posture 
below both; the spirelet being surrounded by eight crocketted 
pinnacles, carried up from the base, and having carved crockets up 
the angles and a carved finial, surmounted by a copper cross—the 
whole height being raised to 48ft.! This alteration was effected 
with great skill and judgment, and without any dwarfing effect on 
the scale of the earlier work—one specially clever feature being 
that, to keep the added figures in due proportion, they are seated, 
whereas the earlier ones are standing. They represented later 
sovereigns who had either granted or confirmed charters to Bristol. 
“That of King Henry VI., which was placed in a new niche, 
eastward. He granted and confirmed all the charters of his pre- 
decessors. 
“That of Queen Elizabeth, which was placed westward. She 
also had confirmed the charters. 
1 This is taken from the actual work as re-erected at Stourhead. Pooley gives 
it as 39ft, Gin. 
