(St.) Paul's Cross

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

At the north-east end of the Cathedral (O.S. 1880).


"About the middest of the Churchyard is a pulpit Crosse of timber mounted on steps and covered with lead." Sermons preached there, General Assembly held there in 1259. Papal bull read there 1262 (S.333).

Its original form seems to have been a High Cross, built of stone on a platform, and not a pulpit as re-erected in the 15th century.

The earliest mention in records appears to be in 1241, when the citizens met there and gave the King leave to cross over into Gascony (Lib. de Ant. Leg. p.9).

Probably existed prior to this date, as the citizens are said to have held their Folk moots there, as in 1256 (ib. 37).

Damaged by storm and earthquake 1382, and rebuilt (Stow Ann. p.295).

Again rebuilt c. 1450 with a pulpit (Dugdale).

Pulled down 1643 (Strype, Ed. 1720, I. iii. 152).

Site recorded in the pavement 1906.

In 1906 a sum of £5000 was left by Mr. H. C. Richards to the Dean and Chapter for the rebuilding and sustentation of Paul's Cross (H. Co. Mag. No.30, 130) and the Cross was finally re-erected in the Churchyard in 1913.

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