Ancient cross in St Martin churchyard

Image: © Paul Barnett Taken: 18 Jan 2023

It has been suggested that this wayside cross was originally a boundary stone between the parishes of Gwinear and Gwithian. In 1613 it was called the 'Meane Cadoarth' or battle stone. Its name may commemorate a battle at Reskajeage, 5km to the north west. The panel of dots or shallow holes on the shaft is traditionally believed to represent each person killed in the battle. In 1896 when the historian Langdon visited the cross, it was in use as a gatepost on Connor Downs, 4.5km south west of Camborne church. It was considered that the cross probably marked the road between Hayle and Camborne, on an important early route through Cornwall, close to the modern A30 trunk road. The route from Camborne to Hayle is crossed at Connor Downs by minor routes to Gwithian and the north coast, and routes south towards the important market town of Helston. In 1904 the cross was moved into Camborne churchyard and erected in its present location. Milestone Society National ID: CWKE_CAM02

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