I AM frequently asked why some market crosses look more like ornate temples than a simple post fashioned from local stone.

Recently, two people stopped me in Helmsley to ask that question, probably because its cross, with its restored head, is a shadow of its former self. Nonetheless, it remains a prominent feature of the town’s splendid market place.

A visit to the market places of small towns in this region may reveal more crosses, some being surmounted on steps, although several have disappeared by being deliberately removed, accidentally damaged beyond repair or even lost through vandalism. Some remain in situ despite their ill-treatment while others, like the one in Helmsley, have been modified or repaired.

Their original purpose was simple. They date from medieval times, or perhaps earlier, when England was a strongly Catholic country, hence the cross that was surmounted on the pillars.

These were a reminder of God’s presence and, indeed, often provided a means of measuring the distance between two communities.

The distance between, say, Helmsley and Easingwold, would be measured from market cross to market cross, while monks on their travels would also trek from crosses to cross.

It follows that these crosses became the focal point for many activities that were not necessarily associated with the market or church.

So far as the market place was concerned, however, several cross might indicate where certain products were sold – for example, there may be a fish cross, bread cross, butter cross, cheese cross, pig cross and others. A large market place would therefore boast several crosses.

Mass was frequently celebrated beneath such crosses, especially on saints’ days and other festivals. This occurred at the start of trading and for this reason the presence of the cross symbolised the presence of God as trading proceeded.

It was thought the products on sale would all be very good, and that dishonesty would never prevail in such a place. The cross was therefore reassuring. Indeed, many early markets were held in churchyards and so fine crosses can still be found among tombstones.

When the Normans brought their customs to this country, Sunday trading continued to be very popular, probably having being started by the Saxons with much of the trading being conducted on church property, including churchyards.

In time, this caused resentment because the traders could be bawdy, irreverent or plainly dishonest but there were also complaints from others who sold their products on normal market days, not Sundays. They felt that such competition was unfair, especially as it was permitted by the church authorities.

In the 13th and 14th centuries there were moves to hold markets away from church property. In 1285, Edward I ordered that “henceforth, neither fairs nor markets shall be held in churchyards, for the honour of the Church”.

Almost a century later, around 1367, the Archbishop of York, John Thorsby, reinforced this by ordering, “We firmly forbid anyone to keep a market in churches, porches or cemeteries belonging thereto on the Lord’s Day or other festivals…let there be no wrestling, shooting or plays that might cause sin, dissension, hatred or fighting… let every Catholic come thither to pray and to implore pardon for his sins.” Nonetheless, it was still common practice on a Sunday morning after Mass for the parish clerk to mount a tombstone to announce public notices and events like auction sales, rewards for the capture of criminals and even details of bull-baiting and other sports.

With all traders being persuaded to use the town’s market place, the cross retained its significance as both a meeting place and religious symbol but soon the authorities realised that a roof could be placed over the cross to provide shelter from the weather. Once this trend began, towns competed with one another to build the most splendid of crosses, some with offices, meeting rooms, spires and staircases. Some were developed into town halls and many others were extremely ornate.

Some have had a chequered existence such as the one in Selby that was moved because it became a traffic hazard while the one at Stokesley suffered a fire in 1746 when youths protested against the Catholic priest. There was another fire in 1779 to celebrate victory over the Spanish fleet. The fire was so fierce it cracked the pillar so Stokesley’s cross had to be dismantled.

The one at Beverley in the East Riding boasts an open shelter with stone pillars supporting a cupola roof. It is adorned with stone urns, the royal arms of England and France and the arms of Beverley town, ie a beaver over a lake. But it is still called Beverley Market Cross.