Middleham Market Cross

{{Short description|Structure in Middleham, North Yorkshire, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}

File:The Market Cross, Middleham - geograph.org.uk - 3441741.jpg

Middleham Market Cross is a historic structure in Middleham, a town in North Yorkshire, in England.

Middleham received a market charter in 1389, and a cross was erected in the lower market place, in the 14th or 15th century.{{NHLE |num=1318545|desc=Market Cross, Middleham|access-date=15 June 2025}}{{cite web |title=MIDDLEHAM: CONSERVATION AREAS APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN |url=https://www.richmondshire.gov.uk/media/4885/middleham-conservation-areas-appraisal-and-management-plan.pdf |website=Richmondshire District Council |access-date=18 June 2025}} The market still operated in the time of John Leland, but by 1859 it was described as having ceased to operate "long ago". At the time, the original cross head had been removed, and it was topped by a plain iron cross.{{cite book |last1=Whellan |first1=T. |title=History and topography of the city of York; and the North riding of Yorkshire |date=1859}} In the early 20th century, a new apex stone was added, topped by a newly forged Celtic cross. This was later moved to the Church of St Mary and St Alkelda, Middleham, and another iron cross installed. The structure was grade II listed in 1967 and is also a scheduled monument.{{NHLE |num=1010548|desc=Middleham market cross|access-date=18 June 2025}}{{cite book |last1=Page |first1=William |title=A History of the County of York North Riding: Volume 1 |date=1914 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/north/vol1/pp251-257 |access-date=18 June 2025}}

The market cross is constructed of stone. It has four worn steps, 2.1 metres high, the largest 3.5 metres square. On this plinth is a hexagonal column capital acting as a base. On this is a two-metre octagonal column with a cornice, surmounted by a 20th-century apex stone and a wrought iron cross. Historic England describes it as "an impressive and well preserved example" of a market cross.