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Sledmere Eleanor Cross

Sledmere Eleanor Cross war memorial is located at Main Street, Sledmere, East Riding of Yorkshire. This memorial is in the form of a copy of an Eleanor Cross constructed of Portland limestone then later adapted as a war memorial by the addition of brass effigies. The memorial is octagonal on plan with a base of eight steps and comprises of four stages. The inscription on the brass panels commemorates those who died in World War I. The memorial is Grade I listed and is located in Sledmere Conservation Area.

In 2016 a Professional Advice Grant of £5,435 was awarded through the War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme towards a condition survey, laser architectural drawings, conservator’s condition survey, paint analysis and draft Specification. The amount of grant was reduced slightly to £5,060 when provisional sums for paint analysis were firmed up.

This memorial is in the form of a copy of the original Eleanor Cross of 1291, completed in 1899 then adapted as a war memorial by the addition of brass effigies in the 1920’s. The Eleanor Cross was designed by Temple Moore as a village cross originally, built by Thompsons of Peterborough. The decorative carving was carried out by John Baker of Kennington, London. The four stages on the cross include the brass effigies, the statues of Queen Eleanor, blind tracery panels and then the statues of the Virgin Mary.  It was adapted to become a war memorial by the addition of flat etched brass effigies designed by Sir Mark Sykes using an interesting mixture of mediaeval and early 20^th Century clothing details. The panels were made by Gawthorpe & Sons, memorial brass engravers of London. The central crocheted pinnacle on the top terminates in a jewelled bronze crucifix with drop pendants and Christ crucified on its north-eastern side. A succession of unveilings of the effigies occurred as they were added to the monument. The last two (including one for Sir Mark Sykes who died in 1919) were unveiled on 3^rd April 1921 by Rev J. Smith, Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey and Col Commandant B.G. Price DSO.

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM9116
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 35033

War Memorials Online: 187444

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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