Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross
Market Cross

Image credit: Janet Broughton / Art UK

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Notes

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The market cross comprises a tall square tapering column surmounted by a gilt bronze cross, rising from a stepped circular base. From at least the fifteenth until the early nineteenth century, Churchgate was the site of Bolton’s market. It was also the site of many of the important events in the town’s history, including the execution of James Stanley, Earl of Derby, in 1651. The cross is located at the junction of the town’s four main streets, Churchgate, Deansgate, Bradshawgate and Bank Street.
Title

Market Cross

Date

1909

Medium

Dartmoor granite

Measurements

H 608 x W 304 x D 304 cm

Accession number

BL1_JB_S003

Work type

Cross

Owner

Bolton Council

Custodian

Bolton Council

Work status

extant

Unveiling date

August 1909

Access

at all times

Signature/marks description

Bradshaw & Gass F.R.I.B.A. Architects

Inscription description

inscription on plaque: THIS CROSS, SIMILAR TO ONE / WHICH STOOD ON THIS SPOT / FROM 1486 TO 1786, / WAS PRESENTED TO HIS / NATIVE TOWN BY / GEORGE HARWOOD / FOR SOME TIME / MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT / FOR BOLTON. / 1909.Plaque on north side: 1253.A.D. BOLTON A FREE BOROUGH BY CHARTER. / 1256. CHARTER FOR MARKET / BY HENRY III TO BODELTON. / 1337. FLEMISH CLOTHIERS SETTLED. / 1513. “LUSTY LADS FROM BOLTON-I’-TH’ / MOORS.” (BALLAD OF BATTLE OF FLODDEN FIELD.) / 1540. “BOLTON UPON MOOR STANDETH MOSTLY BY / COTTONS AND COARSE YARNS.” (LELAND.) / 1623. LECTURESHIP FOUNDED FOR SERMONS / AT CROSS. 1631. POPULATION 500. / 1641. GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOUNDED. Plaque on east side: 1643-4. DURING THE CIVIL WAR BOLTON BESIEGED THRICE / AND TAKEN ONCE WITH MUCH SLAUGHTER. / 1651. JAMES, SEVENTH EARL OF DERBY, / BEHEADED NEAR THIS SPOT / 1661. “BOWLTON HATH A MARKET ON MONDAYS / WHICH IS VERY GOOD FOR CLOTHING AND / PROVISIONS AND IS A PLACE OF GREAT / TRADE FOR FUSTIANS.” (BLOME’S BRITANNIA.”) / 1753. CROMPTON, INVENTOR OF THE SPINNING / MULE, THE FOUNDATION OF MODERN / COTTON INDUSTRY, BORN IN BOLTON. / 1760. ARKWRIGHT, FOUNDER OF THE COTTON FACTORY / SYSTEM, KEPT A BARBER’S SHOP IN BOLTON. / 1763. COTTON QUILTINGS & MUSLINS FIRST MADE IN BOLTON. plaque on south side: 1791. CANAL TO BOLTON OPENED. / 1828. FIRST RAILWAY FROM BOLTON OPENED. / 1832. FIRST PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. / POPULATION 41,195. / 1838. CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. / 1842. PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY ABOUT EXTREME DISTRESS IN THE TOWN. / 1852. ADOPTION OF FREE LIBRARIES ACT. / 1861. POPULATION 70,396. / 1872. FIRST EXTENSION OF BOLTON. / 1877. FURTHER EXTENSION, POPULATION 106,214. / 1898. BOLTON AGAIN EXTENDED. / 1901. POPULATION 168,215.

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Located at

Churchgate, Bolton

BL1 1HJ