The cross at Waltham was constructed by Dyminge de Legeri (de Reyns) and
Roger Crundale. Crundale was a near relative, probably the brother, of
Richard Crundale, the master mason at Westminster, and was obviously in
close touch with the Westminster School. Dyminge de Legeri, of whom we
have little knowledge—his name suggests a foreign origin—must have been
a builder of recognized skill. It is possible that he may have been
specially associated with Waltham Abbey.
[Illustration:
FIG. 17.
The Cross at Waltham, showing its ruinous condition during the
eighteenth century. Published by the Society of Antiquaries; drawn
by Schnebbelie, engraved by Basire; _Vetusta Monumenta_, iii, plate
xvi, 1791.
]
The cross occupies a position on the main road at Waltham, where a side
road branched off leading to the important Augustinian house of Waltham
Abbey. The platform from which the cross arose seems originally to have
had ten steps. As the result of restorations this number has been
diminished to four. From this platform the cross, which is hexagonal in
design, arises. Each side of the lower story is divided into two panels,
which show alternately the shields charged with the arms of England,
Castile and Leon quarterly, and Ponthieu. The panels are surmounted by
pointed three-cusped arches supporting a quatre-foil decoration, and
finally a gable-like ornament. The whole panel is richly decorated, the
upper part with diaper work. The second story, which is separated from
the first by a perforated battlement, consists of a series of open
tabernacles in pairs, sheltering three statues of the Queen. The
tabernacles terminated in profusely decorated triangular gables. The
third story, still hexagonal in shape, is ornamented with tabernacle
work, reproducing the designs of the story below. From this arose the
shaft of the cross, which has been replaced during a recent restoration.
Considering the ruinous state into which Waltham Cross had been allowed
to pass in the beginning of the eighteenth century, it is almost a
wonder that so much of the original structure still remains. The lowest
story still gives a good representation of the original work. The
Queen’s statues remain after having suffered many indignities. Most of
the rest of the cross gives evidence of restoration.
In 1720 Dr. Stukeley remarked on its ruinous state, and prevailed upon
the Society of Antiquaries to take steps for its preservation, and Lord
Monson surrounded and strengthened the base of the cross with new
brickwork in 1757. In early days the Four Swan Inn, at the junction of
the road from Waltham Abbey, was the only house of any importance near,
but other houses gradually arose. The cross and its site apparently
belonged to no one, so the houses crowded on the cross, till at length
they actually abutted on its eastern side, destroying much of its
beautiful work and even endangering the solidity of the whole structure.
The prints of the cross in the eighteenth century show the ruinous
condition into which it had fallen.
In the beginning of last century a local committee undertook its
restoration, £1,200 being expended at this time. This work was finished
in 1834. In 1893 more complete restoration was carried out, nearly
£1,200 being again expended on the cross.[49] The Falcon Inn, which had
encroached on the cross so as actually to be in contact, was set back,
and now the roadway surrounds the cross on all sides, allowing its
proportions to be seen, and aiding in its preservation. It is
interesting to compare the sums expended on restoration with the amount
noted as being paid to the original builders. The sum of a little over
£90 can be traced into the hands of Dyminge de Legeri and Roger de
Crundale. Alexander the Imaginator aided a little in its construction,
and a good deal of the stone, especially the Caen stone, so much in use
at the time, was conveyed directly from the works at Charing.
Footnote 49:
Vide _Weekly Telegraph for Waltham Abbey, Cheshunt and District_,
Friday, 6th January, 1893.