Monument

Charing Cross

Erection date: 21/3/1864

Inscription

{On a stone about 10 feet above the ground:}
First stone laid Mar 21 1864.

{On the street frontage between some of the double piers there are two identical plaques. They are visually very dull so we have not photographed them, but here's the text:}

Charing Cross

The Charing Cross monument is modelled on an early medieval commemorative cross erected by King Edward I for his queen, Eleanor of Castile (1246 – 90).  Twelve crosses marked the journey of her funeral cortege from Harby near Lincoln where she died, to this last stop before Westminster Abbey where she is buried.  A cross was built at every place where the procession rested overnight.

The original cross, from which all distances from London were once measured, was probably at the top of Whitehall and was demolished in 1647.  In 1863 the new Charing Cross monument was built here as a meeting place for Charing Cross Station.  It was designed by E. M. Barry (the architect of the hotel behind) and carved by T. Earp.  Barry also designed giant stone piers and railings to the forecourt which were removed in 1958 to widen the Strand.

Architects Terry Farrell & Company designed new piers and cast iron railings in 1989.  All decorative details are based on Barry’s original design.

Around the monument are 8 standing, crowned statues of Eleanor. This is a recreation of one of 12 Eleanor Crosses erected by King Edward I when his wife Queen Eleanor of Castile died in 1290. "Charing" possibly comes from "Chere reine" French for Dear Queen. The original cross was 'created by' Edward I. The current cross was 'created by' Barry and Earp.

Site: Charing Cross (1 memorial)

WC2, Strand

After 5 years behind scaffolding undergoing restoration this monument was put on show again in August 2010.

On the Northern Line platforms in the nearby Charing Cross tube station there are some very striking murals by David Gentleman which show the medieval workers building the original cross. Diamond Geezer has a good post on these.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Charing Cross

Subjects commemorated i

Queen Eleanor’s Cross

The last of 12 Eleanor Crosses erected to celebrate Eleanor's last journey. ...

Read More

Queen Eleanor of Castile

Born to the King of Castile she was aged 13 when she married the future King ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Charing Cross

Created by i

Edward Middleton Barry

Third son of Sir Charles Barry. Born 27 Foley Place. Work in London: St. Savi...

Read More

Thomas Earp

Architectural carver. Born Nottinghamshire. Worked out of 1 Kennington Road. ...

Read More

King Edward I

Born Westminster. Nicknamed "Longshanks". Reigned 1272 - 1307. Responsible fo...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Islington WW1 memorial - Manor Gardens - names

Islington WW1 memorial - Manor Gardens - names

N7, Manor Gardens

Through the gates you can see that most of the names are nicely picked out but that some panels are damaged by what looks like damp (as y...

1 subject commemorated
J. Lyons war memorial - WW2

J. Lyons war memorial - WW2

W6, Margravine Gardens, Hammersmith Cemetery

A portrait photo has been attached to the list of names close to Kingsley so we have put our photo on that page, but it might also be a p...

War dead | WW2
245 subjects commemorated
PC Keith Palmer

PC Keith Palmer

SW1, Parliament Square, Houses of Parliament, Carriage Gate

In remembrance, PC Keith Palmer, GM, 22nd March 2017. The Police Memorial Trust

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Streatham war memorial

Streatham war memorial

SW16, Streatham High Road, Garden of Rememberance, Streatham Common North

The quotation comes from Binyon's 1914 poem, ‘For the Fallen’. The memorial must have been renovated in 2010.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
National Police Memorial

National Police Memorial

SW1, Horse Guards Road, Cambridge Green

Unveiled by the Queen.

1 subject commemorated, 4 creators

Previously viewed

A. F. Calder
War dead, WW2
1 memorial
sculptural group 1 - Jellicoe

sculptural group 1 - Jellicoe

SW1, Trafalgar Square

Of the 4 this is the west-most sculpture.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator