214 THE SHALL-CROSS. 



heraldry, as a shackle bolt or fetter lock. This shackle or 

 shackle bolt was a cylindrical bar of iron thickened at one end 

 so that it would not pass through the hole in the first side of 

 the fetter, and chamfered to a square at the other, so that the 

 shoulders of the chamfering would fit tight into the square 

 hole in the other side of the fetter and the portion of the square 

 which had passed through was pierced for a rivet or padlock. 

 The origin of the name Shallcross and its predecessor, 

 Shacklecross, has been the subject of many theories and much 

 speculation. The Rev. W. H. Shawcross, of Bretforton, came 



An Ancient Shackle. 



nearest to the facts when he suggested that the affix cross might 

 refer to the junction of the four roads near Shallcross Manor, 

 for I think the place, at least, was right. It is curious how time 

 works its changes. The cross has passed through many vicissi- 

 tudes, yet the old cause preached by Paulinus, of which it was 

 but an emblem, has remained unchanged to this day, namely — 

 VIA CRUCIS VIA LUCIS. 



