The most recent and authoritative dating places the larger cross from the early part of the 9th century, and the smaller from about the middle of that century.[4] Older theories, now outdated, included the view that they were erected to commemorate the conversion to Christianity of Peada of Mercia about 653.[5][6] Other sources date them to the 9th century.[1][2] The original site of the crosses is unknown and it is believed that they were brought to Sandbach in the Middle Ages.[2] The earliest documentary evidence is by William Smith, the Rouge-Dragon Pursuivant at Arms of Elizabeth I, who was from Nantwich. In 1585 he wrote 'two square crosses of stone, on steps, with certain images and writings thereon graven [standing] hard together.[7][8] Either after the Reformation or during the Civil War they were thrown down[2] and their parts were scattered over a wide area.[5] Larger pieces of the crosses were found as far away as Oulton and Tarporley while smaller pieces were found on various sites in Sandbach. In the early 19th century they were collected together and in 1816 were reassembled and erected under the direction of George Ormerod, the Cheshire historian.[4]
The crosses now consist of two upright columns set in sockets on a base of three stepped stones. The northern cross is the taller and has a mutilated head. The southern cross is truncated and has a mutilated head from a different cross.[2] The crosses have always been a pair and were carved by the same hand. They depict religious scenes, doll-like heads and beasts in panels, together with vine-scrolls, course interlace patterns and some dragons.[9]
In art
One of the Crosses (before restoration in 1816) appears in a watercolour by William Alexander, from which they were engraved by John Byrne and published in Britannia Depicta, Part III, Buckinghamshire and Cheshire (1810). Examples were sold at Sotheby's on 22 February 1977, and now appear in the UK's Government Art Collection.[10] Prints and engravings are also found at the Cheshire Records Office.[11]
In music
In 2011, Foden's Band commissioned their Composer in Residence, Andy Scott, to write a piece for brass band called To the Ancient Crosses, "a vigorous and rhythmic description of the Saxon stone carved crosses in Sandbach market square",[12] and dedicated to Sandbach Town Council for their support of the band.[13]
