Corbridge Old Market Cross. Photo by Northumberland County Council.

[NY 98836438] Cross. (1)

This is a cast iron structure, erected in 1814 (NY 96 SE 141). It replaced the market cross which had a large Roman altar as its base and in 1807 the cross was moved to Anderson Place in Newcastle but now stands in front of the Roman Catholic Cathedral there.
The head of the cross is mutilated, but shows remains of dog-tooth ornament of the 13th century. The altar is of fine design, but much weathered. It was removed at the same time, and after standing for some years in the garden of Mr John Walker's house at Eastfield, was presented to the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries in 1824 and is now preserved in the Blackgate annexe.[See Illustrations Card.] (2)

The cross was removed about 15 years ago and now is in the possession of George Anderson who has erected it in Nun's Field, Newcastle. (3)

The market cross stands on an altar, on which there has been an inscription, but now defaced. On the sides are human figures, one with a lyre or harp in his hand may be Bacchus, the other with an unstrung bow may be Apollo. The figures were half covered by the steps of the cross. (4)

The shaft and head of the cross are situated in the garden a little to the south of the nave of the Roman Catholic Cathedral at Newcastle. Its total height is 2.3m and the shaft has dog tooth ornament badly weathered. The head and arms are mutilated but do not appear to be original. On one arm is a fragmentary inscription, only part of which can be deciphered as '...ORE....Sept 2...' The lettering is early 19th century in type. The present base of the cross is circular with a socket stone made from what appears to be a moulded pillar base.
The Roman altar is at present in the Department of Ethnology, Kings College, 11 Sydenham Terrace, Newcastle. Dr D Smith of that department states that the two figures are of Apollo and Diana and that the inscription has been read as:-
(A) Pollini Mapono (Calu)Rnivs Trib (Dedi)C(A)Vit (5)

The shaft and head of the cross are situated at NY 98836437. (6)

Altar listed under 'Temples inferred from finds of other objects'. Possible site of temple. (7)

Found before 1724. Full details of inscription. (8)

Altar to Apollo Maponus. Seen by Stukely in Corbridge where it was the base of the Market Cross in 1725. Now in Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle, acc no 1824.4. RIB 1121. (9)

Old Market Cross, set against churchyard wall 2m east of Vicar's Pele. Grade II listed. Present base is worn circular moulded capital, probably Roman; 13th century shaft with remains of dogtooth ornament on angles; plain 18th century head. The cross formerly stood upon a Roman altar in the market place but was removed to Newcastle in 1807 and returned in the 20th century. (10)

Details as above. (11)