Gazetteer of
British Place Names

Legs Cross is a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon stone cross near the village of Bolam in County Durham. It is located about four miles north of Piercebridge on the Pilgrims' Way (the modern B6275 and the old Roman road of Dere Street). The sandstone cross has been eroded to an 8 feet 6 inch high obelisk-like structure on a triangular base. Some interlaced patterning remains and it once had an inscription reading 'LEG' giving rise to the name. 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). Other theories for the origin of name include the fact that 'legge' is the Anglo-Saxon word meaning 'boundary'. 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. It is a Grade II listed structure and a scheduled monument. It is within the council area of Darlington.
Historic England Grade II* Listed 1323020.

Place Type: Wayside Cross
Historic County: Durham
Lat, Long: 54.597215,-1.6808041
Grid Reference: NZ 2072 2249
Civil Parish: Bolam CP
Council Area: County Durham CA
Strategic Authority Area: North East SA
Police Area: Durham PA

GBPN ID: 302888
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Legs_Cross,_Durham_302888

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