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Os grid reference SD.743 372. The Shay Cross is located about one and half miles north of Whalley in the village of Wiswell. Go into the village and walk in a south-westerly direction along Pendleton Road; then go a short distance along Old Back Lane and then Wiswell Shay Lane where the cross stands at the side of the lane beside a stream and close to the entrance to Wiswell Hall farm.
At first glance the 6 foot high sandstone cross looks quite ancient but, in fact, it is only the base that is medieval because the rest is a 19th century Latin-style restoration. The 13th century base is rectangular in shape and it has nice chamfered upper edges and a square-shaped socket hole. It seems the original cross was destroyed at the Reformation. Clearly, this was a former way-side cross or perhaps a funeral cross where coffins were rested on the way to Whalley church. Originally called 'The White Cross' - perhaps it was painted white, and also 'Paslew's Cross' after abbot John Paslew who was born in the village of Wiswell. Shay cross is a grade II listed monument.
Legend says that John Paslew's ghost still walks between Shay Cross and his former home Wiswell Hall. Paslew, the last abbot of Whalley Abbey was executed probably at Lancaster in March 1537 (and not at Whalley as sometimes stated) for being implicated in the Pilgrimage of Grace as well as for his Christian faith which he refused to give up.
References:
Whitaker Terence W., Lancashire's Ghosts and Legends, Robert Hale, London 1980.
At first glance the 6 foot high sandstone cross looks quite ancient but, in fact, it is only the base that is medieval because the rest is a 19th century Latin-style restoration. The 13th century base is rectangular in shape and it has nice chamfered upper edges and a square-shaped socket hole. It seems the original cross was destroyed at the Reformation. Clearly, this was a former way-side cross or perhaps a funeral cross where coffins were rested on the way to Whalley church. Originally called 'The White Cross' - perhaps it was painted white, and also 'Paslew's Cross' after abbot John Paslew who was born in the village of Wiswell. Shay cross is a grade II listed monument.
Legend says that John Paslew's ghost still walks between Shay Cross and his former home Wiswell Hall. Paslew, the last abbot of Whalley Abbey was executed probably at Lancaster in March 1537 (and not at Whalley as sometimes stated) for being implicated in the Pilgrimage of Grace as well as for his Christian faith which he refused to give up.
References:
Whitaker Terence W., Lancashire's Ghosts and Legends, Robert Hale, London 1980.
