Sprotbrough Church (Tower West End)

Slide 13 – For nothing has the village more frequently been mentioned than for its Cross, the site of which, opposite the west end of the church, is still preserved, or rather the following singular piece of ancient rhyme, which was engraved upon a plate of brass affixed to it taken from the M.S. of Hugh Fitz-William “Who is so hungry and liste will eate Let him come to Sprotburgh to his meate, And for a night and for a day His horse shall have both corn and hay And no maine shall aske where he goith away” This cross was pulled down in the year 1520. According to a record, it is stated that it was Sir John Fitz-William who lived here in the reign of Henry V (1413-1422) who caused a cross to be erected not far from the Church, with the lines as just given engraved in brass upon it. It would seem from this that the cross was only allowed to remain in existence for about 100 years, before it was destroyed. Vandalism was perpetrated even in those times as well as in our own!