Easingwold Market Cross - A Brief History by Mrs Valerie Taylor
Easingwold has had the right to hold a
market since King Charles I granted a market charter to George
Hall in 1638. The market cross that we see today is a fusion
of old and new. The base, taking the form of three steps is the
older part and the upright carved piece of stone dates back to
the mid years of the nineteenth century when the upper part was
rebuilt.
In the 1850's a Miss Rachael Whytehead, of the White House situated
to the north of the Market Place, offered £50 to the then
Toll owners, in order that a new market cross be erected. Messers
Atkinsons, Architects of Lendal in York (the oldest firm of Architects
in the country) were invited to submit a design. The work of
rebuilding the cross was completed in 1856. Interestingly, a
later partner in this firm of architects was one Walter Brierley
who drew up the plans for a private house in 1897 that forms
the hub of what is now the Galtres Centre.
The square canopy over the market cross is believed to have been built at the same time and may well have been all part of this grand improvement scheme. The foundry mark of "J Walker" can be seen at the base of each of the four iron columns. The foundry was based near Layerthorpe Bridge, York adjacent to Peasholme Green. Today the site consists of luxury apartments bearing the name "Foundry Square Gardens."
John Walker began his apprenticeship in 1815. His work was noted for its quality and other examples can be seen in the railings of St Leonard's Place, York and the gates of Kew Gardens in London. As a result of this work he was appointed Iron Founder to Queen Victoria in 1847. His most famous foundry work was a commission to make the gates and railings of the British Museum in London. The firm continued for 70 years after his death in 1853 and ceased to trade in 1923.
