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The cross consists of a column with a tall ornamental plinth, standing on a stone platform within a baluster wall. At the summit of the column stands a figure of Saint Paul. Saint Paul carries an ornamented cross, and is represented in the act of preaching. At the angles of the base of the column, four cherubs recline on moulded trusses. Beneath them, on the four sides of the plinth are coats of arms: that of the City faces east; that of the Dean of London faces south; the Royal Arms face west; and an unidentified coat of arms, possibly that of H. C. Richards, faces north. Access to the platform is through an ornamental bronze gate on the south side of the baluster, whose other three sides are decorated with bronze plaques. On those on the north and east sides are inscriptions.
Title
St Paul's Cross
Date
1908–1910
Medium
Portland stone, bronze & black marble
Measurements
H 1585 x W (?) x D (?) cm
Accession number
EC4M_AY_S055
Acquisition method
donated by H. C. Richards, Hackney
Work type
Cross
Listing status
Grade II (England and Wales)
Listing date
05/06/72
Access
time restrictions apply
Inscription description
on the bronze plaque on the East side: ON THIS PLOT OF GROUND / STOOD OF OLD "PAULS' CROSS" WHEREAT AMID SUCH / SCENES OF GOOD AND EVIL AS MAKE UP HUMAN AFFAIRS / THE CONSCIENCE OF CHURCH AND NATION THROUGH / FIVE CENTURIES FOUND PUBLIC UTTERANCE / THE FIRST RECORD OF IT IS IN 1191 A.D. IT WAS REBUILT / BY BISHOP KEMP IN 1449 AND WAS FINALLY REMOVED / BY ORDER OF THE LONG PARLIAMENT IN 1643 / THIS CROSS WAS RE-ERECTED IN ITS PRESENT FORM / UNDER THE WILL OF H.C.RICHARDS / TO RECALL AND TO RENEW/ THE ANCIENT MEMORIES; on the bronze plaque on the North side: IN MEMORY OF ANNE RICHARDS BURIED IN THIS / CHURCHYARD OF HER SON FREDERICK RICHARDS FOR / MANY YEARS RESIDENT IN WATLING STREET AND OF HER / GRANDSON FREDERICK FIELD RICHARDS PRIEST RESIDENT / FOR MANY YEARS IN ST PAULS' CHURCHYARD THIS CROSS / WAS ERECTED BY HENRY CHARLES RICHARDS CITIZEN / BAKER AND TURNER ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S COUNSEL / TREASURER OF THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF GRAY'S / INN 1904 1905 WHO SPENT THE HAPPIEST / HOURS OF A BUSY LIFE AS A FREQUENT WORSHIPPER / WITHIN THE WALLS OF THIS CATHEDRAL / "GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER" H.C.R. OB 1ST JUNE 1905