Merket Cross

This  Merket cross, which dates like the one at Bowden, from the late 16th century, stands intact but for its cross-head on the village green at Ancrum, a little to the NW of its original position. The shaft, measuring 8 ft 1 in in length, has chamfered angles received at the foot on floriated stops. It is set in a socket stone, about 3ft square and 1ft 10 1/2in high, which has a boldly carved foliaceous (resembling a leaf or leaves) enrichment at each corner. A sundial or similar object has been attached at a later time to the cross-shaft, but has now been removed.

The manor of Ancrum pertained to the bishop of Glasgow from before the time of David I. It was erected into a barony and free regality, of which in 1490 Bishop Robert Blackadder received a charter of confirmation from James IV. (Register of Glasgow, 466). In 1610 the town of Ancrum belong to James Law, Archbishop of Glasgow. (Laing Charters, no.1596).

RCAHMS 1956, visited 22 March 1933.

As described by the RCAHMS.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 23 January 1967.

The cross was originally  in the centre of the green and was moved to its present position in 1870. The top section has had a sundial on it but the gnomon ( the projecting piece of the sundial which  shows the time by the position of its shadow)  is now missing. During the moving the top section has been put on 180 degrees out as it now faces north. 

John Rogerson