(NU 05411927) Percy's Cross. (1)

Half a mile to the south (of Percy's Leap NU 01 NW 12) is a stone called Percy's cross, carved with the Percy crests, the fourth earl of Northumberland, and according to tradition, annual sports of football and cudgel playing were held there. (2)

Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland: Minor 1416 - Died 1489.
(Pedigree proves the 4th Earl to be the first nephew of Sir Ralph noted by Authority 2). (3)

The cross stands within a modern enclosure and consists of a socket stone in which stands a shaft in two sections.
The socket stone is 0.9m square at the base tapering to 0.8m at the top with 0.5m of its height above ground level. There has been an inscription on its south-west face but this is not now decipherable. The shaft is 0.3m square with chamfered corners and is 2.6m high. The carvings on the faces of the shaft are badly weathered but the Percy crescent and fishes carved in relief can still be distinguished. There is no cross head.
There are more carvings on the upper part of the chamfer, but these are not distinguishable. See photograph. (4)

Probably memorial cross, condition unchanged. (5)

Wayside cross, later 15th century, surrounded by 19th century wall and railings. Each face of the square shaft bears relief carvings of Percy emblems: crescents, fusils and lucies (pikes), with fetterlocks on the angle chamfers. The head is missing, overall height 3m. Commemorates Sir Ralph Percy, who fell leading the Lancastrian army at the battle of Hedgeley Moor, 23rd April 1464. (6)

Wayside Cross, probably of late C15th date, commemorating Sir Ralph Percy, who fell leading the Lancastrian Army at the Battle of Hedgeley Moor, 23rd April, 1464.
The socket stone is 0.9m square, tapering to 0.8m at the top, the stone protruding 0.5m above ground level. inscription of south-west face now not decipherable.
The main shaft is 0.3m square and stands 2,6m high above the socket, the head section missing. Carving on each face now weathered but includes Percy emblems - crescents, fusils (cannons) and lucies (fishes stood on end), with fetterlocks (leg irons) on the angle champhers.
The cross is surrounded by a C19th low wall and railings, with a new gate.
THe 19th century ilow wall and new railings are in excellent condition and appear to be regularly maintained. The cross has suffered from weathering since the above account was written and the fetterlocks and fusils are longer visible. The ground around the cross base within the enclosure does become a little overgrown in summer, but this does not threaten the monument. The setting of this site could be better, however its location within a working farm makes this difficult. The site forms part of Hedgeley battlefield which has a small area of publicly accessible ground and an interpretation panel on the opposite side of the A697. Neither cross nor the interpretation sign are signposted. Apparently the County Council highways department have objected to a sign being placed here in the past as slowing traffic may be dangerous on this busy road. However, traffic stopping suddenly due to lack of warning could be considered more dangerous and the highways department should be approached once again to discuss signing. This would be an appropriate time to explore suitable interpretation as the launching of the English Heritage battlefields register has raised public awareness of battlefield sites generally. A programme of interpretation including a leaflet, road signing and public access to associated features such as the well (site no. 73), could be explored with the Countryside Commission Stewardship Scheme using the historic landscapes category and the County Council. (7)

Scheduled. (8)

NU 054 193. Percy's Cross, Beanley. Scheduled No ND/135. (9a)