The Market Cross of Axbridge, Somersetshire (Fig. 148), illustrated, after a painting of the year 1756, in a communication from George Bennett to the _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1805, was demolished in or about 1770. The structure appears to have been hexagonal on plan. Its piers were buttressed, its arches four-centred. The surrounding parapet was of pierced Gothic tracery, interrupted by a pinnacle over each of the piers. The roof was conical, with a lofty vane. The height to which the steps within, beneath the central shaft, rose, suggests that this was an instance where the cross must have been in existence first, and the shelter a subsequent addition. [Illustration: 151. SHEPTON MALLET, SOMERSETSHIRE INSCRIPTION ON MARKET CROSS] [Illustration: 152. SHEPTON MALLET, SOMERSETSHIRE MARKET CROSS] [Illustration: 153. NORWICH MARKET CROSS, WITH PLAN AND DETAIL] [Illustration: 154. LICHFIELD MARKET CROSS] [Illustration: 155. TAUNTON, SOMERSETSHIRE MARKET CROSS] At Shepton Mallet a market cross (Fig. 152) was erected in 1500 by private benefaction, as recorded on the original engraved brass, or latten plate, attached to the structure. The text of the inscription (see Fig. 151) (in modernised spelling) is as follows: "Of your charity pray for the souls of Walter Buckland, and Agnes his wife, with whose goods this cross was made in the year of our Lord God, 1500, whose obit shall be kept for ever in this parish church of Shepton Mallet, the 28th day of November, whose souls Jesu pardon." "There are certain lands, apparently a part of the Bucklands' bequest, the revenues of which are devoted to keeping the cross in repair, any surplus being distributed among the poor. This 'Cross Charity,'" as it is called, "was formerly administered by trustees, but has recently"--the passage was written in 1907--"been transferred to the Urban Council. The title-deeds have long been lost; and some years ago the Charity Commissioners were inclined to" alienate "the property from the cross." The trustees, however, tenaciously fulfilled their obligations, "and from 1841 onwards, if not before, kept the cross in thorough repair." (Dr F. J. Allen.) The character of the cross has been so much changed from time to time by reconstruction and misrestoration, that it has now become impossible to determine what the ancient design really was; but it seems to have consisted of a shelter very like that formerly at Axbridge, with a central spire like that formerly at Taunton (Fig. 155). From the presence of pinnacles at the angles there can be deduced but one logical conclusion, viz., that the piers must have been, and should yet be, buttressed. The buttresses, however, have completely disappeared. The frequent traffic of heavy vehicles--for the market was once much busier than it has become since the introduction of the railway--would probably have damaged the projecting buttresses; and their omission, therefore,