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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

MABS CROSS

2 Comments

Mab's Cross
Mab's Cross
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 2,136
Item #: 24503
An early CDV photo of Mab's Cross taken by J.Cooper at the latter end of the 19th century. At this time it was located in the original location in Standishgate It has been moved a couple of times since.

Comment by: Keith on 18th January 2014 at 12:23

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.

Comment by: Keith on 19th January 2014 at 18:44

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.

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