I have always been fascinated by this tall post in a quiet corner of Scarborough. I did a little research online and discovered it had a remarkable history.
Unlike many other historic towns, Scarborough lost its medieval street markets in the 1850s when the purpose-built market hall in St Helen’s Square was opened.
The Butter Cross in Princess Square is Scarborough’s only surviving market cross.
Although called a cross what actually survives is a badly eroded stone pillar with traces of leaves carved on the sides. It is thought that it is a re-used pinnacle from a church rather than part of a purpose made cross. It was probably taken from one of the friary churches after they were dissolved in 1539 or from the nearby Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre which was demolished in 1561 and was used to replace the medieval original. It has been suggested that such salvage might have been in part a symbolic act which preserved a link with one of these vanished religious buildings.