Part of the
Acorn Archive
Penzance,
Cornwall
Architecture
and Heritage
The Market
Cross
The Market Cross stood, in the present Greenmarket; then
next to the original town shoots.
The Market Cross was at the centre of the old boundary
circle.
It was moved to Market House, then to Morrab Gardens and
now stands proudly in Penlee Park.
The Face
The reverse
The
inscription at the base of the reverse
From the
drawing by RAS Macalister (1929)
The inscriptions are the only true clue to any form of
dating;
it certainly appears that the whole of the carving was
done at the same time.
It is a curiosity that there are two figures, one on the
rear and one on the edge.
It is also curious that there are just two knotwork
panels and three field patterns on the face.
The knotwork is quite different in each design.
The field patters are of differing numbers and
arrangements; the significance, if any, is a conundrum;
However, this appears to be a Cornish feature.
The closest that I have seen is the Lanivet Cross, with a
simple grid, inscribed with field patterns and knotwork.
Then there are the holes on either side of the neck, and
face of the cross head,
the purpose left unanswered.
Interpretation of the inscriptions has presented scholars
with somewhat of a puzzle.
In 1906 the inscriptions had not been deciphered.
According to RAS Macalister in 1929, the main inscription
reads
CVMBUIN UICUMQ: ENITHI
(though it does appear that the first letters of each
line have been lost)
and the other
REGIS RICATI CRUX
This last is clearly “King Ricatus’ Cross”.
There is just one other reference to Ricatus, in Cuby,
though, of course, not necessarily the same person.
Why a Christian Cross should be recording the name of an
Iron Age Baron
begs more questions.
The lower panel being simply inscribed F O P C.
The lower panel of the edge appears to include “debased
roman capitals”;
certainly the third character is “FI”.
King Athelstan conquered Cornwall around 930 AD. He found
a land of Cornish Saints.
Cornwall had a long tradition of Celtic Saints. Penzance
was not an exception.
The lettering of the inscriptions has Anglo-Saxon
elements.
It can be supposed that it dates somewhere around 1050
AD.
It gives me the impression of there being space left for
further
inscription and “decoration”.
Perhaps the inscriptions were added to the older cross?
Looking at the figures one appears to be feminine. Who is
she?
Was the area of the cross above the inscription removed
deliberately?
Or was it merely the result of the many abuses and moves
it has undertaken?
To me, the cross has more questions than it offers
answers.
There is also the removed inscription
- noted by Rev C V LeGrice as Hic procumbant corpora piorum -
when the cross was fitted to the front of the New Market
House.
Raymond
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