@NellytheWillow @Vibracobra23 excuse the poor quality photo, but I saw the same stonework 'cone' yesterday in Monmouth!
Replying to @2ruth@mastodon.social
@2ruth @Vibracobra23 Wow! Thanks. Interesting. I think this type of pinnacle is fairly widespread on churches but this is something different. Do you know what it is? It could be some sort of ancient 'cross' but without context it's difficult to say.
Replying to @NellytheWillow@mastodon.social
@NellytheWillow @Vibracobra23 I think it was a cross (though not the conventional one!) It was in the road junction outside the rather lovely St Thomas a Becket church in Monmouth
Replying to @2ruth@mastodon.social
@2ruth @Vibracobra23 Oh that's very interesting. It sounds like something found in Cornwall that's known as a lantern cross (which isn't a cross either) that has carved scenes from Christ's life. This one seems to have niches with figures in them.
Replying to @NellytheWillow@mastodon.social
@2ruth @Vibracobra23 I've now found there's a Wikipedia entry for it, though I haven't read it all yet, but it is thought to have an ancient history:
en.wikipedia.orgThe Cross, Monmouth - Wikipedia
Replying to @NellytheWillow@mastodon.social
@NellytheWillow @2ruth @Vibracobra23
Sorry to butt in, but I’m really interested in this.
The Cross in Monmouth was the centre of urban life in the Middle Ages. Markets were held here, traders sold their goods, and townspeople gathered. It was also used for public announcements and minor court proceedings.
As a market cross, It had religious significance. It symbolised Christian order and was used for sermons and processions. It also reflected Monmouth’s civic rights and economic standing.