Details

The monument includes the remains of the standing cross located on the western
or `top' green at Linby. A second cross, known as the Bottom Cross, the
subject of a separate scheduling, is located on the eastern, or `bottom' green
The remains comprise a late medieval or early post-medieval base of seven
octagonal steps surmounted by a mid-19th century socket stone, shaft and cross
head. The originals of these latter components are missing, possibly as a
result of 16th or 17th century iconoclasm.
The stepped base of the cross, known as a calvary, rises to a height of c.2m
and covers an area of c.4m square. Each step consists of a double layer of
pavings. The modern socket stone or socle is c.50cm square by 30cm high and
has chamfered corners with pyramid stops. The square-sectioned shaft has
chamfered edges and a square pedestal, and tapers to a square collar beneath a
moulded square capital. Together with the cross head, which is straight armed
and has moulded terminals, it measures c.2.5m high.
The socle, shaft and cross head were added to the calvary in 1869 by Andrew
Montague, Armiger, and John Lawrence Prior, Rector. They were designed in
imitation of those belonging to Linby Bottom Cross which are considered, at
least in part, to be of late-17th century date. The cross is possibly
that noted in a perambulation of 1505 as marking the boundary of Sherwood
Forest though this, alternatively, may have been the Bottom Cross. In 1980,
repairs carried out to the cross revealed part of the inner structure of
limestone blocks and a section of this inner structure has been left exposed
on the north side where part of the calvary is missing. In addition to being
scheduled the cross is Listed Grade II. The modern paved area surrounding the
cross is excluded from the scheduling though the ground underneath is
included.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

A standing cross is a free standing upright structure, usually of stone,
mostly erected during the medieval period (mid 10th to mid 16th centuries AD).
Standing crosses served a variety of functions. In churchyards they served as
stations for outdoor processions, particularly in the observance of Palm
Sunday. Elsewhere, standing crosses were used within settlements as places for
preaching, public proclamation and penance, as well as defining rights of
sanctuary. Standing crosses were also employed to mark boundaries between
parishes, property, or settlements. A few crosses were erected to commemorate
battles. Some crosses were linked to particular saints, whose support and
protection their presence would have helped to invoke. Crosses in market
places may have helped to validate transactions. After the Reformation, some
crosses continued in use as foci for municipal or borough ceremonies, for
example as places for official proclamations and announcements; some were the
scenes of games or recreational activity.
Standing crosses were distributed throughout England and are thought to have
numbered in excess of 12,000. However, their survival since the Reformation
has been variable, being much affected by local conditions, attitudes and
religious sentiment. In particular, many cross-heads were destroyed by
iconoclasts during the 16th and 17th centuries. Less than 2,000 medieval
standing crosses, with or without cross-heads, are now thought to exist. The
oldest and most basic form of standing cross is the monolith, a stone shaft
often set directly in the ground without a base. The most common form is the
stepped cross, in which the shaft is set in a socket stone and raised upon a
flight of steps; this type of cross remained current from the 11th to 12th
centuries until after the Reformation. Where the cross-head survives it may
take a variety of forms, from a lantern-like structure to a crucifix; the more
elaborate examples date from the 15th century. Much less common than stepped
crosses are spire-shaped crosses, often composed of three or four receding
stages with elaborate architectural decoration and/or sculptured figures; the
most famous of these include the Eleanor crosses, erected by Edward I at the
stopping places of the funeral cortege of his wife, who died in 1290. Also
uncommon are the preaching crosses which were built in public places from the
13th century, typically in the cemeteries of religious communities and
cathedrals, market places and wide thoroughfares; they include a stepped base,
buttresses supporting a vaulted canopy, in turn carrying either a shaft and
head or a pinnacled spire. Standing crosses contribute significantly to our
understanding of medieval customs, both secular and religious, and to our
knowledge of medieval parishes and settlement patterns. All crosses which
survive as standing monuments, especially those which stand in or near their
original location, are considered worthy of protection.

Though missing its original shaft, socle and cross head, the base of the Top
Cross is a well preserved and visually impressive example of a stepped calvary
still in its original location. When constructed, it would have played an
important role in religious festivals and other aspects of village life and
may also have served as a boundary cross. Its importance is increased by its
relationship to Linby Bottom Cross, located at the opposite end of the
village.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Williamson, E, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire, (1979), 165
Other
Shackleton Hill, Angela, (1994)
Stapleton, A., New Notes on Nottinghamshire Crosses, 1911,
Stapleton, A., Notes on Nottinghamshire Crosses, 1903,

Source: Historic England