GUEKNSEV CROSSES. 



BY LIEUT.-COLOXEL T. W. M. I)E (UEKIN. 



The custom of erecting crosses in memory of the Passion 

 of our Blessed Lord in streets and public places is of Aery 

 ancient origin. Eusebius relates that Constantine the Great 

 erected crosses in the chief streets of Constantinople and in 

 his palace ; upon the outside of the great church which he 

 had built, and also upon the altar within. This custom 

 continued in use down to the Reformation in England, and 

 still prevails in all Catholic countries. These crosses are to 

 be found in cliurchjards, in the market squares oi: many 

 towns and yillages, as well at by the roadsides, and sometimes 

 bear the name of the donors engraved upon them, with a 

 request to the wayfarer to pause and pray for their souls. 

 Some Avere very elaborate structures, such as the famous 

 crosses erected by Edward I. to mark Avhere the body of 

 Queen Eleanor had reste:! on its progress from Harby, in 

 Nottinghamshire, to her place of burial at \yestminster 

 Abbey ; or the great Breton " calyaires." 



The ordinary market or village cross was a much simpler 

 object, usually a more or less ornamental cross, fixed in a stone 

 base, or socket, i-aised on a few steps above the level of the 

 roadwa} \ The market cross played an important part in town 

 or A'illage life, from its steps proclamations Avei'c read, men 

 out-lawed, or sermons preached on solemn occasions. Wayside 

 crosses frequently marked the road to the village church, and 

 in the early part of the last century in several parishes in 

 England there Avere " chiu'ch paths " ke})t up by the parish 

 along AAdiich AAcre to be found crosses or the bases of crosses. 

 Where the path had been, as in most cases, obliterated the 

 crosses in some instances remained, not facing Avest, as is the 

 iuA^ariable custom of church crosses, but pointing in the 

 direction of the church. The object of Avayside crosses Avas 

 thus to " guide and guard " the way to the church. " For 

 thys reason ben croysses by ye waye that Avhan folke passynge 



