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

Wimbledon war memorial

Wimbledon war memorial

SW19, The Causeway

The first quote comes from the ancient Greek writer Hermes Trismegistus; the second from Ecclesiastes 44:7. This monument is a good exam...

2 subjects commemorated
Chiswick war memorial - Turnham Green

Chiswick war memorial - Turnham Green

W4, Chiswick High Road

Originally surrounded by metal railings which have since been replaced with the hedge.

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
St Bartholomew's Hospital - Marian Martyrs

St Bartholomew's Hospital - Marian Martyrs

EC1, West Smithfield, St Bartholomew's Hospital

Being just outside the city walls this was considered a suitable spot for executions. Here more than 60 Protestants were burned at the st...

4 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Stockwell WW1 memorial

Stockwell WW1 memorial

SW9, Stockwell Terrace

The design of this Portland stone clock tower was chosen through competition by a committee of the Royal Academy from a field of 80. The...

War dead | WW1
576 subjects commemorated, 5 creators
Gilt of Cain - Slave trade

Gilt of Cain - Slave trade

EC3, Fen Court

This sculpture, 'Gilt of Cain', was unveiled by Bishop Tutu in commemoration of the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic sla...

4 subjects commemorated, 7 creators

Previously viewed

Stephen William Leigh

Stephen William Leigh

Engineer at Teddington Lock, 1857.

Person, Engineering

1 memorial