Eleanor Cross — Attraction in London

The Eleanor Cross at Charing Cross, while not the original medieval cross, stands as a powerful symbol of Queen Eleanor of Castile and King Edward I's enduring love. Reconstructed in the 1860s during the Victorian era, the cross commemorates one of twelve erected along the route of Eleanor's funeral procession from Lincoln to Westminster Abbey. The Victorian replica, largely the work of sculptor Thomas Earp, embodies the era's fascination with medieval history and romantic ideals. Earp's meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail in replicating the original cross ensured that the monument continued to serve its intended purpose: to remind all who pass by of enduring devotion and the power of love to transcend time. Through Earp's artistry, the Eleanor Cross remains a significant landmark, connecting London to its medieval past and honoring a queen whose memory continues to resonate centuries later.

The sculpture itself was very detailed and as I was walking by, I had to stop to take a look. I regret not taking a picture with better lighting. I was really awed by the sighting of the cross when I saw it and the gesture/meaning behind the sculpture was also very touching. There’s really not much around this sculpture since this is right outside of the Charing Cross but I recommend people to stop and admire this...

This Eleanor Cross was one of twelve such wooden-cross monuments made (1291-1294) by order of King Edward to commemorate Queen Eleanor. Upon her death in Darby, her body was taken to London for her funeral at Westminster Abbey in 1290. The journey took twelve nights. As such, Edward had twelve Eleanor crosses made and erected at each of the overnight stops, which marked her journey to London.

You can see The Eleanor Cross directly in front of the Charing Cross Station entrance just a few minutes walk from the location in front of Trafalgar Square, where the original monument was placed many centuries ago. This replica is 21 meters high and considered by scholars to be more ornate and decoratively made than the original. So it is quite possibly not true to the form of the original Eleanor (Charing) Cross.

Interestingly, while this particular Eleanor Cross is a replica, there are three of the originals that have survived and can be seen in Hardington, Geddington and Waltham.

In the end, the Eleanor Cross is one of a seemingly endless collection of monuments, statues and landmarks that can be spotted around London and will likely be most appreciated by those with an interest in English history. It is an interesting attraction to find and is worth a few minutes of your time if you intend to spend time in...

This is a Victorian representation of the original Charing Cross, built for the station it's named after in 1865 and designed by E.M. Barry. The Charing Cross was the 12th and final Eleanor Cross, they marked the overnight stopping points for the funeral cortège of Queen Eleanor de Castille, the wife of King Edward I. The original cross stood on what's now the small roundabout in front of Trafalgar Square, where the statue of Charles I now stands. That statue marks the exact centre of modern London. There were 12 Eleanor Crosses, out of which, only 3 original ones still exist. The rest were destroyed in the English Civil War by the Roundheads, as they stood in Cavalier supporting towns. The murals on the Northern Line platforms of Charing Cross Underground station, by David Gentleman, are of the building of the...