It's a mistake to put cross on stone
YOUR report last week of North Herts District Council s Royston area committee under the heading Roysia stone may get missing cross needs a comment. It is most unlikely that the stone was the base of a cross. The shallow indentation is no mortice to t
YOUR report last week of North Herts District Council's Royston area committee under the heading "Roysia stone may get 'missing' cross" needs a comment.
It is most unlikely that the stone was the base of a cross.
The shallow indentation is no mortice to take a heavy superstructure. Also, I am not aware of any evidence in records.
These stones are not uncommon and are called plague stones or market stones, so named because vinegar was placed in the shallow saucer on the top of the stones for cleaning money at the times of plague.
You may also want to watch:
There are several examples in other parts of the country.
It is no surprise that one should be found here in Royston as they were part of the market culture of the time.
Most Read
- 1 Sir Tom Jones set for green, green grass of Newmarket Racecourses
- 2 Bassingbourn Barracks: New chapter for Army’s flagship operational training centre
- 3 Arrests made in connection with large-scale money laundering operation
- 4 Person dies after being struck by train in Cambridge
- 5 What are the outstanding schools in Hertfordshire?
- 6 Police hunt 36-year-old wanted for harassment and restraining order breaches
- 7 Access between platforms to be restored at Royston station
- 8 How many people in our area have been 'pinged' by NHS COVID app?
- 9 Thatcher returns after 30 years to repair cottage where he met his wife
- 10 Escape the crowds this summer at these places to visit in Hertfordshire
If there is spare money it would be better spent on correcting the noticeboard on The Cross.
PETER KETTERINGHAM
President
Royston & District Local History Society
