Butter Cross

The Puleston Cross is a Butter cross in the market town of Newport, in the Telford and Wrekin district, in the ceremonial county of Shropshire, England. The Cross sits in Middle Row, formerly Rotten Row, and denotes the market place. The cross was built in the early 14th century and was moved to this position in 1633 after the new market hall was built by William Adams. The cross was set up in memory of Sir Roger de Pyvelesdon who died in 1272, in Shropshire. This is confirmed in a deed dated 1285, signed by his son and namesake Sir Roger de Puleston, which includes these words: the cross set up for the soul of Roger de Pyvelesdon who died in 1272. The father has sometimes been confused with the son, who was killed in a Welsh revolt in 1295, leading more than one local historian to state the cross was erected in memory of this Roger. The cross has remained in its current position since the 13th century. There are differing accounts as to how the cross lost its head. It has been alleged to have been "decapitated by the Parliamentarians" troops in the English Civil War. Another account is that: "When the Market was rebuilt after the fire of 1665 the top of the Cross was broken off and remained in a local garden for many years and was then broken up to mend a footpath".