A Brief History of the Celtic Cross in Cornwall
Celtic Crosses By Alex Everitt

The far West of England, and in particular the county of Cornwall is fortunate enough to be one of the areas richest in prehistoric and ancient monuments. From stone circles to holy wells and hill forts to Celtic stone crosses There are many sacred sites to ponder and wonder at.

 The ancient stone crosses of Cornwall, often found far from habitation or dwellings, have always inspired me to much of the above pondering.   As most crosses found in Cornwall are cut from surface moorland granite, it is in such areas of moorland that most crosses are found. Both Bodmin and Penwith have fine moorland with dramatic views and surreal, time sculpted granite outcrops. Inspiration indeed for the masons who set out and chiseled so many beautiful and individual monuments to God.

It seems that many of these out of the way monuments, were set up as wayside markers showing where different pathways met, or where parish boundaries intersected.

The Celtic Cross in Medieval Times

In medieval times, before roads were built communications between farms and parish churches was by way of a footpath usually taking the easiest and direct route. Coming across an all protecting cross on ones way home on a dark night no doubt gave the spirit a boost. Crosses were also set up to mark the routes to sacred sites such as holy wells, monasteries and chapels. St Michaels Mount, one of the most famous ancient sites in West Penwith has the base stone for a cross set into the causeway that separates the Mount from Marazion. Most of these wayside and boundary crosses were set up around 1100AD as the influence of the church and the creation of the parishes took effect. If you take the north road that follows the coast from St. Just to St. Ives you will be taken on one of the most beautiful and dramatic journeys through raw and wild moorland, which gave birth to many of the crosses that can be found in this area.

As many of the churches built were placed on ancient religious sites, very often remnants of the prehistoric remain visible. An example being the cross head found in the churchyard wall in the parish of Paul. It is thought that the cross head sits atop a prehistoric standing stone.


Walks around Zennor

The village of Zennor not far from St Ives , locally famous for it’s Mermaid stories, has an abundance of ancient pathways, perhaps the best known being the path to St Ives. This is a coffin way that was used before there were any roads to carry the dead, in their coffins that is, from the farms to the closest church. This pathway is a remnant of a track that lead from the parish of Paul on the south coast, round Lands End to St Ives. The following images were taken on a short walk starting from behind Zennor church and walking in the direction of St Ives.

zennor church
Above: View of Zennor Church.

Above: Gravestone featuring 2 Crosses in Zennor Churchyard.

Above: A single Cross marking a very old grave in Zennor.

There are as many Cornish stiles to be crossed as there are fields, they seem to combine both function and aesthetics. 


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About a mile out from Zennor there is a ruined chapel built by Bible Christians in 1850 and a little further on is a moorland stone with a mortise cut in to take a wayside cross.


Above: The ruined Chapel outside Zennor.
Above: The moorland stone and mortice.

Behind Zennor is the very imposing Zennor hill which is well worth climbing if you have the breath. Towards the base of the hill is an example of a raised track way still in very good condition. The view from the top is well worth the effort, look out for the large square lump of granite. This was carved by stonecutters in 1820 when huge stones were cut and transported over the moors on drays pulled by up to forty horses. Much of this stone was used for building Falmouth docks.


Above: Zennor Hill

Many crosses are found in burial sites that existed long before churches were built within their boundaries. These old burial sites were known as Lanns which is why parishes sometimes have Lan incorporated, with the relative saint, into their name. Lanhydrock Saint Hydrek and Lelant Saint Anta. The age of these Lanns can be gauged by how much higher they are than the surrounding land. A stone coffin lid found when a grave was being dug in St Buryan churchyard and dating from the 15th Century shows just how quickly time covers things over. It can be seen fixed to the wall inside the church.

Crosses were also set up to mark the routes to sacred sites such as holy wells, monasteries and chapels. St Michaels Mount, one of the most famous ancient sites in West Penwith, has the base stone for a cross set at the side of the causeway that separates the Mount from Marazion.


Above: The Causeway to St. Michaels Mount


Above: The wayside stone by the Causeway.

Most of these wayside and boundary crosses were set up around 1100 as the influence of the Church and the creation of the parishes took effect. As many of the churches built were placed on ancient religious sites, very often remnants of the prehistoric remain visible. An example being the cross head found in the churchyard wall in the parish of Paul. It is thought that the cross head sits atop a prehistoric standing stone.

Market or village crosses are sadly quite rare in Cornwall. They served as the focal point for the public life of the village, and traders would gather around to sell their wares. They also reminded villagers of their religious obligations in daily life and no doubt were where the Lord of the Manor or Church collected taxes. No wonder there are so few! 

Thanks for reading and I hope you have found this information useful. I am very fortunate to live in an area so rich in Medieval and Celtic history and I hope one day you get the chance to visit Cornwall to experience the spiritual and enchanting aspect of such a historical county.

Please take time to take a look at the silver Celtic crosses that I have made in recognition of the immense effort it must have taken for our Celtic forefathers to create.
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