Lingfield Cross And Cage

[poliphilo]

This quaint little building started off as Lingfield's village cross. Then In the 18th century they added  a one room-building round the back and the village cross became the village lock-up or cage. It was last used as a cell in the late 19th century.

Comments

[resonant.livejournal.com]

"village cross"?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Villages and towns used to have crosses in them. Sometimes they're called market crosses and sometimes preaching crosses. They acted as a focus for the community. Preachers would preach from them and merchants would set up stalls round them.