The Headless Cross, Friargate (14th Century)
he Headless Cross -Derby suffered several times from the plague, perhaps being worst affected in 1592 when 464 people perished. Local farmers refused to trade with the townspeople and it is said that grass grew in the Market Place from lack of people and business. As the plague continued, it was feared that there would be a famine until, at last, farmers in the surrounding countryside agreed to trade with the people of the town under the condition that money for the payment of provisions was left in bowls of vinegar at the Headless Cross on Nun's Green. The farmers returned later to collect their money.
he 'Hedles Cros', or 'Broken
Crosse', as it has been recorded, is
thought to date from the 14th century
and by the 15th it had been recorded
as already having lost its top. At one
time the cross was moved to the
Derby Arboretum park, where it
stood for many years, having a
reputation even then of being
haunted. Eventually the Headless
Cross was moved back to the top of
Friar Gate, probably quite close to
where it originally stood.
wo ghosts have been seen near the
Headless Cross, one of which is said
to be that of a dog sitting. The other is
alleged to be the figure of a lady in
grey - although she is sometimes in
white - 'coming out of the stone'.
Some claim that the ghost of another
lady which is often seen on the
Arboretum is in some way connected
with the cross, whilst others believe
that the same ghost now haunts both
Friar Gate and the Arboretum park.
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The information on this page is supplied courtesy of Wayne Anthony (author) and Richard Felix (local historian).
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