212 QUEEN ELEANOR CROSSES. 



to the structure which could not be obtained from a more 

 regular plan. 



The Northampton Cross stands about a mile from the town, 

 by the side of the old turnpike road leading to London, on the 

 brow of the hill overlooking the Nene Valley and the Borough of 

 Northampton. 



This Cross Mr. Markham describes as consisting of four 

 storeys, diminishing in size as they ascend, the whole being 

 mounted on a flight of nine steps, octagonal in plan, which gives 

 great height and dignity to the structure. The lowest storey is 

 octagonal in form and about 14 feet high, each angle being 

 supported by a buttress, and each side divided perpendicularly 

 into two panels beneath a pointed pediment and adorned with 

 1 6 shields, suspended from foliage of different patterns, bearing 

 the Arms of England, Castile, and Leon (quarterly), and 

 Ponthieu. Each alternate face is further ornamented with an 

 open book supported on a lectern. The second storey, 12 feet 

 high, appears as an octagon, but in reality is formed by a solid 

 pier or shaft, square in plan, attached to each side of which is 

 an open tabernacle supported by slender pillars, vaulted and 

 canopied with purfled gables, terminating in bouquets and 

 pinnacles of graceful design. Under each of these stands a 

 statue of Queen Eleanor, about 6 feet high, which, like the 

 books on the lower storey, face the cardinal points of the 

 .compass. These statues show a great degree of artistic taste 

 and skill, and are amongst the most beautiful of British sculpture 

 we possess.* 



. Above the tabernacles again is a third storey, which is square 

 in plan, panelled, and each side adorned with arches containing 

 quatrefoils in their points, surmounted by a crocketed gable. 



Only a fragment of the fourth storey remains, and even this is 

 not original. It is not, and probably never will be, known what 

 originally formed the summit. 



* They were attributed by Flaxman to Pisano, and are said to be faithful 

 representations of Queen Eleanor. 



