The Butter Cross
Scarborough
North Yorkshire
First mentioned in 1547, the Butter Cross could possibly date from the 14th century. Some of the decoration, sadly now very weathered, is similar to crosses and their shafts that have been reliably dated to this period.
The Butter Cross now stands at the junction of Low Conduit Street and St Mary's Street, but would once have stood, complete and with a carved head, in Cross Street. Why it was moved to this spot, hidden away from all but those who accidentally stumble upon it, is beyond me.
Like many towns and villages throughout England, Scarborough originally had more than this single cross. Town documents mention the Haldene Cross, the Corn Cross and the Rede Cross...but sadly these have all since vanished. If you take a closer look, some carved decoration can still be seen, though the stone is very badly weathered.
