ST PETER'S CROSS - HOPE CHURCHYARD

There was a church and priest in Hope before the Norman Conquest, nothing remains of the Saxon church except the cross mounted in a modern base.

It is believed to date from the time of King Alfred, was hidden on the fabric of Hope School from the time of the Civil War until 1858 when it was discovered during demolition of the school house.
Its excellent state is due to it having been buried in a wall for two hundred years and close by the sundial and part of a guidestoop.

Opposite the South church door is a calvary of five octagonal steps with a sundial pillar mounted in an octagon base on top. The base has a square hole in it which would accommodate the Saxon cross shaft. It is supposed that it was once mounted on the calvary but this is more typical of a market cross.

Eccles cross is also in the churchyard.