Crossgate, Durham

Situated around one mile from the exquisite 11^th-century cathedral in the historic north-eastern city of Durham is one of its oldest streets, Crossgate. Now heavily populated by students attending the nearby prestigious and highly acclaimed university, charmingly cobbled Crossgate takes its name from medieval Neville’s Cross, as Crossgate and Crossgate Peth provided the main medieval westward route towards Neville’s Cross.

Famous for its 14^th-century battle between the Scots and the English forces in October 1346, the Neville’s Cross battle site proved disastrous for the Scottish army. Thousands of Scottish soldiers were slaughtered, and upon sensing defeat, Scottish King David II fled, only to be captured by the English as he hid out under Aldin Grange Bridge.

Following the English victory, a stone cross monument was erected at the western end of Crossgate Peth, opposite St. John’s Church. Sadly, it was badly damaged and defaced in the 16^th century with only the base remaining. In 1903, the remains of the cross were moved a short distance and have since been preserved with wrought iron railings added to protect the memorial (see image below).

Folklore says that if you walk around the memorial cross nine times and place your ear to the ground, you will hear the sounds of battle, the clash of swords, and the cries of wounded men, although perhaps attempting this since the addition of the railings would prove a little trickier.