A lost cross at Temple Bruer – probably a boundary stone – reported by William Stukeley in 1776

Parish/DistrictTemple Bruer with Temple High Grange/North Kesteven
LocationNot known
CategoryLost cross (Boundary cross?)
National Grid Ref
Designation
Stone Type
RefsTrollope, E, 1872, Sleaford etc, p. 319; Davies, D S, 1913, Lincs N & Q, Vol XII No.5, p.148
Visitsnot visited

William Stukeley, writing in 1776 (p.87), reported: ‘Over against Temple Bruer is a cross upon a stone, cut through in the shape of that borne by the Knights Templars, and I suppose the boundary of their demesnes.

Trollope (1872, p.319) repeats this statement, adding: ‘but this has since been removed or destroyed’.

Stukeley is probably recording a boundary stone – it may be parochial rather than monastic as the Maltese cross does necessarily denote Templar holdings. The Knights Templar of Temple Bruer held a market charter (1154 – Thursdays) but there is no suggestion that this lost stone is a market cross.

A Yorkshire boundary stone (at Kettlewell Bridge) with a Maltese cross inscribed upon it. (Photo: Upper-Wharfedale Field Soc.)
Temple Bruer

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