Summary
The remains of the pedestal which formed the base of the Gothic Cross lie in the trees adjacent to the site of the Temple of Modern Virtue
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- CROSS (Early 19th C to Late 19th C - 1814 AD to 1900 AD)
Description
The remains of the pedestal which formed the base of the Gothic Cross lie in the trees adjacent to the site of the Temple of Modern Virtue. The pedestal consists of four panels mitred and fixed by cramps at each corner, cast in a patent stone strengthened by a rectangular honeycomb grid. Presumed to be Coade. Three of the panels are in good condition, one broken into three sections and part lost. The base mould shows that diagonal buttresses were fixed across each corner to conceal the junction between panels, and each panel indicates that some, possibly heraldic, device was fixed within the centre of each quatrefoil motif.
(1) One of the most ambitious productions of Eleanor Coade’s Artificial Stone Manufactory, the Gothic Cross was erected in 1814 by the 2nd Marquess of Buckingham. It stood just to the south of the church amid the trees west of the Evergreen walk, of which it was the principal feature until the 1980s, when it was demolished by a falling elm. The newly reinstated walk was created by the 1st Duke as a meandering path fringed by yews, running from the Doric Arch to the Temple of Ancient Virtue. It is also planned to restore the base of the Gothic Cross on its old foundations, which can still be seen.
(3) The cross was re-built using an artificial stone moulded from the original fragments in 2016 after excavations to uncover the base of the monument.
References
- SNA64138 - Report: A Wainwright. 1989. National Trust Archaeological survey, Stowe, Thames and Chilterns region.
- SNA66565 - Digital Image: Gary Marshall. 19/4/2016. Photographs taken of the Gothic Cross base at Stowe.
- SNA66628 - National Trust Report: Gary Marshall. 21/4/2016. The National Trust, Stowe Gardens, notes on the plinth for the Gothic Cross in the Elysian Fields.
- SNA67474 - Illustration: Gary Marshall. 21/10/16. Plan of gravel path leading up to the Gothic Cross, Stowe.
- SNA68348 - Report: Carol Simmonds. Aug 2019. Archaeological aerial survey of the western gardens, Stowe Landscape Gardens.
- SZM27044 - Slide: R Mitchell. 19/08/1996. Aerial view - Lamport Gardens in south west corner - ridge and furrow centre close to Gothic Temple.. TSLG892.
- SZM27439 - Slide: Angus Wainwright. 01/01/1990. Gothic Temple. TSLG1402.
- SZM39834 - Slide: 30/06/1995. Aerial photo - Gothic Temple.. TSLG883.
- SZM53895 - Photograph - colour: G. Marshall. 04/01/2002. Stowe, Panel from the Gothic Cross. TSLG3467.
- SZM56666 - Photograph - black and white: Gary Marshall. 4/1/02. Stowe, part of the Gothic Cross. 10.
- SZM56668 - Photograph - black and white: Gary Marshall. 4/1/02. Stowe, part of the Gothic Cross. 0.4M/0.2M. 11.
- SZM57353 - Monograph: 1997. Stowe Landscape Gardens Guidebook.
- SZM57410 - Monograph: Bevington M.. 1994. Stowe - The Gardens and the Park.
Designations
None Recorded
Other Statuses and References
None Recorded
Associated Events
- ENA2565 - Field Survey, Archaeological Survey of Stowe Park, Stowe Landscape Gardens
- ENA2641 - Field Survey, Stowe Guide Book, Stowe Landscape Gardens
- ENA7719 - Archaeological Intervention, Cleaning and recording of the base of the Gothic Cross, Stowe
- ENA8061 - Archaeological Intervention, Recording of ground make up around the Gothic Cross, Stowe
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
None Recorded