14th century preaching cross and ruins of Blackfriars monastery, Hereford. Dominican friary begun in 1322 - The preaching cross is of the 14th century and the only surviving example in England of a friars preaching cross. It stood in the cemetery of the friars. It is hexagonal and stands on high steps. The parapet is of openwork panels. A solid hex core with shafts supporting ribs, a stone roof, and the tall cross shaft and cross does not give the preacher much space to stand or move about. Restored 1864 by Sir Gilbert Scott, involved total rebuilding from ground upward, reusing any material where poss. Stone, hex on plan, with three stage buttresses at the angles and standing on four steps. Each face has open cinquefoil arch in square head, the lower part filled with open stone balustrades, having two cinquefoil openings. One side formed the entrance but balustrade now continues across it, structure finished with moulded and embattled cornice. Interior has stone bench around central pier with six small shafts with moulded bases and capitals from which spring the moulded ribs of the stone vaults. 咄ortean / TopFoto