The Headless Cross

	The Headless Cross The Headless Cross, also known as the "Vinegar Stone", or the "Plague Stone" part of a medieval stone cross, was removed from Friargate (Formerly Nun's Green) and relocated at the Arboretum in 1892.
	Below: at Derby Arboretum c 1960-69
Photo courtesy of Don Farnsworth
Free JavaScripts provided by The JavaScript Source	Below, returned close to its original location in Friargate, June 1979
See Map The cross was returned to Friargate in June 1979 and placed close to its original location. The Headless Cross was used as a Market Stone by the townspeople during a visitation of the Plague during 1665.		More Structures and Ornamentation The Aviary The Band Stands Crimean Cannons Crystal Palace The Fountain The Florentine Boar Other Important Statues The Headless Cross Pavilions Ornamental Vases Sir Henry Royce's Statue Arboretum Home Page
Photographs C. Harris, June 2002
	A Market Stone would have been located at the border between the town and the rural community (a number of these stones are to be found around the UK). Farmers would refuse to enter a town during a "visitation" of the plague for fear of being infected. Goods would be deposited by the farmers at the Market Stone, where the towns people would leave money in a bowl of vinegar on top of the stone in the belief that the vinegar disinfected their money and would prevent the spread of the Plague.
	Top of the Headless Cross

	This is a view of the top of the Headless Cross showing the trough, used to contain vinegar, in which coins, to pay for food, were placed in the belief that it would "disinfect" them against the plague.


	This view shows the location of the cross in relation to the 18th century housing that was built on Nun's Green to form Friar Gate.	Arboretum Home Page