What were market crosses used for?

A market cross, or in Scots, a mercat cross, is a structure used to mark a market square in market towns, where historically the right to hold a regular market or fair was granted by the monarch, a bishop or a baron.

What is the meaning of Market Cross?

Definition of market cross : a cross or cross-shaped building set up where a market is held and often the scene of public business such as giving of notices or reading of warrants.

Why were Mercat crosses built?

Mercat crosses have fulfilled a variety of civic roles over the centuries. As the name suggests, they were first erected to display a burgh’s right to trade, as well as acting as a gathering place for townsfolk to hear important public announcements.

What does market town mean in the UK?

A ‘market town’ in the UK is categorised as a small town in a rural setting that was given a historic legal right to hold a weekly market. Famous examples in the UK include Dorchester in Dorset, Yeovil in Somerset and Halifax in West Yorkshire.

What is a village cross?

A standing cross is a free standing upright structure, usually of stone, mostly erected during the medieval period (mid 10th to mid 16th centuries AD). Elsewhere, standing crosses were used within settlements as places for preaching, public proclamation and penance, as well as defining rights of sanctuary.

What is the main function of a market town?

The primary purpose of a market town is the provision of goods and services to the surrounding locality. Although market towns were known in antiquity, their number increased rapidly from the 12th century.

What were the market activity in town?

Answer: There were bustling markets; selling grain, spices, cloth and jewellery. Wells and tanks provided water supply to the town.

What does market town mean in geography?

n. (Human Geography) chiefly Brit a town that holds a market, esp an agricultural centre in a rural area.

What were the market activities in town Class 7?

What were the market activities in towns? Answer: The towns were bustling with markets selling grains, spices, cloth and jewellery.

What is a market town in geography?

Why do we need market Class 7?

It establishes a link between the producer and the consumer. There are different kinds of markets namely; weekly market, shops, shopping complex or mall. The profit earned by different market varies.

Why do we go to markets?

Market is a place where all your basic needs are available. So, we go to the market to fulfil our necessities and requirements.

What does market cross stand for?

A market cross, or in Scots, a mercat cross, is a structure used to mark a market square in market towns, where historically the right to hold a regular market or fair was granted by the monarch, a bishop or a baron.

Which town has a market cross in Great Britain?

Towns and villages in Great Britain with a market cross 1 Banbury 2 Barnard Castle 3 Barrow upon Humber 4 Bawtry 5 Bedale 6 Belford 7 Beverley 8 Billesdon (x2) 9 Bingham 10 Bingley

Why is there a depression at the foot of a cross?

In some towns and villages in England there are still the old market crosses which have a depression at the foot of the stone cross. This was filled with vinegar during times of plague as it was believed that vinegar would kill any germs on the coins and so contain the disease.

What is an example of a market town structure?

These structures range from carved stone spires, obelisks or crosses, common to small market towns such as that in Stalbridge, Dorset, to large, ornate covered structures, such as the Chichester Cross, or Malmesbury Market Cross. They can also be constructed from wood; an example is at Wymondham, Norfolk.