Hanging Stone or Watersheddles Cross
Bradford (Metropolitan Authority)
Pendle (District Authority)
Laneshaw Bridge
SD 97123 38276
Despite damage to the upper part of the monument, Hanging Stone or Watersheddles Cross survives reasonably well. It is mentioned in a 14th century document and is a rare survival in Lancashire of an in-situ medieval ecclesiastical property boundary marker.
The monument is a medieval standing cross known as Hanging Stone or Watersheddles Cross. It is located on open moorland north east of Watersheddles Reservoir and consists of a rough block of millstone grit which now rests against an outcrop of bedrock at an angle of 50 to 60 degrees. It measures 1.82m long and is of rectangular cross section measuring 0.6m by 0.4m. On the west face of the cross the inscription HANGING STONE OR WATERSHEDDLES CROSS was carved during the 19th century. `Waterschedles crosse' is mentioned in a medieval document dated 1327-77 during the period when it functioned as one of the boundary stones marking the division between the diocese of York and the diocese of Lichfield.
MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
Hulton, A, 'Chetham Society' in , (), 333-4
SMR No. 3582, Lancs SMR, Watersheddles Cross or Hanging Stone, (1994)