A few notes on the Cross at Childwall:
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This cross, one of only half a dozen ancient monuments Liverpool possess at all, lay in ruins in a field off Childwall Lane until 1935. When it was decided to widen Childwall Lane, it was agreed that the cross should be re-erected and set in a 15' recess not far from its original site. It was amazing luck that it had survived for so long.
Some of the steps were, infact, buried and only recovered by excavation. Lord Salisbury, besides, sending a donation, very kindly provided the site.
The old dismembered ruins were dug out, and 3 steps and the base stone numbering 22 sandstone blocks in all were found complete but no trace of the missing shaft.
The blocks were re-assembled in their original formation and were surmounted with a new shaft rising nearly 10' from ground level, quite plain in appearance and with short arms, identicle with what were presumed to have been the original proportions. The cross was erected in an embayment with a semi-circular stone seat around it, only 5 years from where it may have stood for 600 years. The Cross at Childwall would appear to have been a market cross; it is of great antiquity and its base is too big for a wayside cross.
The picture below shows the cross base in 1915.
Attachment 3401
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