NHER 67154 (Structure record) - Medieval cross in churchyard of St John the Baptist's Church, Mileham

Medieval cross shaft on tomb chest 10m west of tower of St John the Baptist's Church (NHER 7271). Previously recorded under NHER 7271.

June 1981. Field Observation.
Visited by E. Rose (NAU).
In yard as cross, probably unique. On a tomb-chest decorated with shields in quatrefoils a massive cruciform base, and on this a chamfered shaft much weathered. Whole c.2.5m high. It is clear from the socket in the tomb that the cross was designed for its present position. See (S1).
It is 15th century in date (not 18th to 19th century as Ordnance Survey card (S2) or Saxon as church guide (S3) states).
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 23 June 1981. Information from file notes for NHER 7271 (S4).
P. Watkins (HES), 10 July 2023.

June 1972. Listed, Grade II*.
Listing Description excerpt:
"Cross shaft on tomb chest. 15th century. Ashlar. Chest With carved quatrefoil panels with lancing shields. Tall plinth cross shaped in plan with arms connected by diagonal sections. Only small section, probably the upper part, of shaft survives with four narrow niches with tiny nodding ogee heads."
Information from (S5).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S5) for the current listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 July 2023.

July 1998. Scheduled.
Monument Description excerpt:
"...The cross...is 15th century in date with some later additions. It includes the tomb chest base, the socket stone and the shaft.
The base consists of a rectangular tomb chest made up of a base plinth, four side panels and a lid. The base plinth rests on the ground and supports the four decorative side panels. Four quatrefoils, each with a heraldic shield in the centre, are carved on the east and west panels. The north and south panels have one and two quatrefoils respectively, also with central heraldic shields. Immediately above the side panels is the carved lid. The overall base measures 2.22m east-west by 1.2m north-south and 1.2m high. The socket stone, which stands on the tomb chest, is cruciform in plan and is in two parts, with a median chamfered step and an overall height of 0.85m. The lower stone measures 1.1m across, and the upper stone, above the chamfer, somewhat less. The shaft is mortised into the socket stone. It is 0.26m square at the base with chamfered corners and rises up through a tapering moulded section to a height of approximately 2m. At the very top of the shaft there are four narrow niches with small nodding ogee heads. The full height of the cross in its present form is approximately 4.05m.
The gravestones immediately to the north of the cross are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included."
Information from (S6).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S6) for the current scheduling details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 July 2023.