Monument record MLI43559 - Tattershall Butter Cross

Summary

Medieval market cross at Tattershall.

Type and Period (2)

  • (Medieval to Modern - 1200 AD? to 2050 AD)
  • (Post Medieval - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

Full Description

The medieval market cross at Tattershall stands on the village green, near to the Lodge. It is mostly made of Lincolnshire limestone, and is comprised of an octagonal base of 5 steps and a socket-stone, a shaft, knop and headstone. The full height of the cross is approximately 5.7m. The lowest step of the base and the headstone are both modern, and are thought to date to restoration works conducted in 1906. The shaft, socket stone and upper 4 steps of the base are medieval in date. The monument has been designated as both a Scheduled Monument and a Listed Building; for the full description and the legal address, please refer to the appropriate entries in the National Heritage List for England. {1}{2}{3}{4}{5}{6}{7}{8}{9} The original medieval cross surmounting the shaft was removed at some point prior to 1800, being replaced by a headstone comprised of a cubic vertical sundial with urn and weather vane on top. This later headstone was apparently shattered when the monument was struck by lightning in 1861. The monument continued without a head until 1906, when the present cross was added to the surviving medieval knop. This modern head is in the form of a crucifix with foliate terminals. {10}{11} During a watching brief in the area surrounding the Butter Cross, an 18th century wall was uncovered. This possibly relates to an earlier surround for the Butter Cross. {12}{13}

Sources/Archives (13)

  •  Index: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Card Index. TF 25 NW: 9.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Thomas Allen. 1834. The History of the County of Lincoln, From the Earliest Period to the Present Time. vol.2, p.78.
  •  Serial: 1914. LINCOLNSHIRE NOTES AND QUERIES. vol.13, pp.219-20.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Nikolaus Pevsner and John Harris, with Nicholas Antram. 1989. Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (Second Edition). p.750.
  •  Scheduling Record: HBMC. AM 7. SAM 92.
  •  Scheduling Record: ENGLISH HERITAGE. 1994. SCHEDULING DOCUMENT 22633. 22633.
  •  Website: Historic England (formerly English Heritage). 2011->. The National Heritage List for England. http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/. 1009227.
  •  Index: Department of the Environment. 1987. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. 10/61.
  •  Website: Historic England (formerly English Heritage). 2011->. The National Heritage List for England. http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/. 1287778.
  •  Website: 2024 >. Medieval Standing Crosses of Lincolnshire. https://lincscrosses.org.uk/. Tattershall.
  •  Article in Serial: 1861. 'Coningsby' in the Sleaford Gazette. 13/07/1861, p.3.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. 2001. Market Place,Tattershall. TMP01.
  •  Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. 2001. Market Place, Tattershall. LCNCC:2001.104.

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Location

Grid reference TF 21233 57884 (point) Surveyed
Civil Parish TATTERSHALL, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Related Events/Activities (1)

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Record last edited

Apr 10 2026 8:43AM

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