Wigan Album
MABS CROSS
2 CommentsPhoto: RON HUNT
Item #: 24503
Another classic photo from John Cooper, erstwhile pub landlord and Wigan snapper supreme, from over 140 years ago. We owe him a big thank you in my opinion.
I've abbreviated this report from a Directory of 1854, the phraseology is old fashioned but the meaning comes through…….
Sir William (Bradshaigh) was outlawed for the slaying a Welsh Knight (who had married his wife while Sir William was away for 10 years fighting wars), and was designated a " felon."
Mab's Cross, which stands at the top of Standishgate, consists of the base of a pillar, and half a shaft of four sides rounded off by time.
To serve her penance for marrying again while her husband was still alive, the lady (Mabel his wife), in penitential attire, made her weekly pilgrimages, from the chapel of Haigh Hall, a distance of two miles, barefoot and barelegged to a cross near Wigan.
About fifteen years ago, (1840) Mab's Cross was removed by a lady who it appears “did not glory much in the cross" which stood opposite her window; but the Earl of Balcarres, very properly compelled her to restore this time honoured relic, upon which, it is to be hoped she could afterwards bear to look with more contentment.