Buttercross

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File:Oakham Buttercross.jpg
A buttercross in Oakham
File:Whittlesy buttercross.jpg
The 17th-century buttercross in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.
File:Butter Market, Market Place, Barnard Castle - geograph.org.uk - 1392297.jpg
Barnard Castle Market Cross
File:Buttercross Westgate Mansfield.jpg
Buttercross Monument in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

A buttercross, butter cross or butter market cross is a type of market cross associated with English market towns and dating from medieval times. The name originates from the fact that the crosses were located in market places, where people would gather to buy locally produced butter and other dairy products.[1][full citation needed][2] The fresh produce was laid out and displayed on the circular stepped bases of the cross.

Their design varies from place to place, but they are often covered by some type of roof to offer shelter. The roofs were generally added at a much later date than the construction of the original cross.

Known buttercrosses

Examples from most parts of England include:

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References

  1. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Peyton, Jane (5 September 2012). Brilliant Britain. Summersdale. ISBN 978-0-85765-790-9.
  2. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The Buttercross". Swaffham Heritage. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  • Page Template:Sister-inline/styles.css has no content.Script error: No such module "Sister project logo". Media related to Script error: No such module "Commons link". at Wikimedia Commons