Engraved for the Antiquarian and Topographical Cabinet, by W&Coole, ima Pating by Arnald Waltham Crops, Hertfordshire. dr the Pro, Dec. 18. by "fret WALTHAM CROSS, HERTFORDSHIRE. THIS elegant relic of antiquity was erected on the following occasion: Eleanor of Castile, first wife of Edward I. accompanied him, when prince of Wales, in the crusade to the Holy Land. During the campaign, the prince was attacked and wounded, in his tent, by a Saracen with a poisoned weapon. The poison was so potent as to baffle the abilities of his physicians, and he was deemed incurable. At this awful period, his amiable consort, anxious to save the life of a husband, without whom existence to her was worthless, formed the magnanimous resolution of risking her health and life to preserve his. She therefore applied her delicate lips to the rankling wound, and never ceased, night nor day, at stated times, in performing her benevolent office, till she had extracted the poison, and restored the prince to his accustomed health. After being a faithful wife for thirty-six years to king Edward, she deceased at Herby in Lincolnshire, November 29, 1290; and the king, so ardent was his affection for her memory, erected to her honour, crosses, or statues, at Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Geddington, Northampton, Stoney-Stratford, Dunstable, St. Albans, Waltham, and Charing Cross, each adorned with the arms of Castile, Leon, WALTHAM CROSS. and the earldom of Ponthieu, which by her right were annexed to the crown of England, she being the only daughter of Ferdinand III. king of Castile and Leon. According to lord Orford's Anecdotes of Painting, vol. i. p. 28, it appears, that it was Vertue's opinion, these Crosses were constructed from the elegant designs of Peter Cavalini, a Roman sculptor. Waltham Cross, which is the only thing remarkable in the hamlet to which it gives name, stands at the corner of the Falcon inn, forming a point to the road from Cheshunt to Waltham Abbey. The Society of Antiquaries have twice interested themselves in preserving this curious monument from farther decay. In 1721, posts were placed round it to protect it from injury; and in 1757, lord Monson, lord of the manor of Cheshunt, at the request of the Society, signified by Dr. Stukely, surrounded the base with brickwork. An attempt was made, within a few years, to remove the whole into the park at Theobalds; but upon attempting it, the materials were found so decayed, that the design was abandoned, and the Cross suffered to remain undisturbed, to await the unavoidable shocks of age. |