Market Cross on Cross Square

Market Cross on Cross Square. . The Market Cross in Cross Square no longer exists, but Louisa's rich watercolour shows us a glimpse of what the skyline once looked like. Here we see the Market Cross with the Cathedral in the background. The Cross itself was a hub of activity, with public meetings a regular occurrence. It was also a place where people would come to sell eggs and poultry. Researchers date the Market Cross to around 1707. It was demolished in 1866. Given that Louisa is believed to have painted this scene in 1900 it means it is possible, as with some of Louisa's other paintings, she made initial observations earlier in life and then returned to her sketches to paint the Market Cross long after it was torn down., The decision to sell off the Market Cross by auction 'was accompanied today by considerable disturbance,' reported the Ossett Observer in September 1866. The report goes on to say, 'A large crowd collected In the square and at the bottom of Wood Street and created such an uproar that the auctioneers remarks were practically inaudible. The bidding started at £20 and advanced to £35, at which Mr Thomas Armitage was the purchaser. The lead in and about the building was sold to a plumber for 19s 6d a cwt. The sale was accompanied by the continuous tolling of a bell.', It is believed that the pillars that once made up the Market Cross can now be found in Wakefield's Secret Garden in Thornes Park., The Forgotten Women of Wakefield project is the creative mission of Dream Time Creative. The project seeks to empower the community and in particular the women's voice through the concrete goal of achieving Blue Plaque Parity for Wakefield's historical women., With Louisa's Trail we honour Louisa [Fennell]'s life and legacy in the city she captured so beautifully in watercolour.