Legs Cross

54.5972°N 1.6808°W / 54.5972; -1.6808

Legs Cross

Legs Cross is an Anglo-Saxon cross in the parish of Bolam, County Durham, England, about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Piercebridge on the Pilgrims' Way (the modern B6275 and the old Roman road of Dere Street). It is a Grade II* listed structure,^[1] and a scheduled monument.^[2]

It was probably erected in the 9th century.^[1][2]

The sandstone cross is now eroded to an 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in) high obelisk-like structure, on a triangular base.^[2][3] Some interlaced patterning remains.^[4]

Although it once had an inscription reading "LEGS X", which was chiselled off post 1966, giving rise to the name.^[3] It has been suggested that the cross was constructed from Roman masonry (nearby Piercebridge was once the site of a Roman fort) and that the inscription may have originally celebrated the 20th Legion (LEGIONIS).^{[citation needed]}

Other theories for the origin of name include the fact that "legge" is the Anglo-Saxon word meaning "boundary."^[1][5] It has been also suggested that James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) rested here, with his legs crossed, on his way south to claim the English throne.^[6]