Monument record 0164900000 - WHITELEAF CROSS

Summary

Possible post-medieval chalk-cut cross and triangular base known as Whiteleaf Cross, first recorded in the eighteenth century. Repaired and re-marked in 1826 when George Robert, Earl of Buckinghamshire, had the cross weeded and recut following an Act of Parliament of George IV. Dating uncertain but perhaps 17th century. The site is now maintained by Buckinghamshire County Council, work carried out between 1991 and 1996 has included the stabilization of damaged turf and the eroded edges of the cross.

Protected Status/Designation

Archaeological Notification Area: Chalk cross, prehistoric barrows and World War I practice trenches on Whiteleaf Hill (DBC9581)
Scheduled Monument 1014597: HILL FIGURE ON WHITELEAF HILL, KNOWN AS THE WHITELEAF CROSS (DBC7095)

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Type and Period (1)

HILL FIGURE (First mentioned 1738, Post-Medieval - 1540 AD? to 1798 AD?)

Description

Dimensions - Width 116m, Length 64m.
Plan Form - Cruciform.
Latin cross 24m across (both ways): arms 6m wide. Triangular base c.103m wide; whole is 70m high. Some conservation in 1984 (B1).
Size seems to have varied (B2).
Discussions re origins: commemorated Saxon/Danish victory? (B3-5,B9).
First recorded 1738. Some erosion on steepest part. Conservation work in 1991 (B10).
Scheduled: SAM 27147 (B1).
Condition survey 2000 (B11).
Known from at least 1742 (B13).
Negative watching brief carried out by Oxford Archaeology in November 2008 during installation of replacement stock-proof fencing (B15).

Cut in chalk E of the village of Monks Risborough (on the side of Whiteleaf Hill) It has a triangular base, and measures 80 ft across the arms, which are about 20 ft wide. (See plan). It is in good condition (B8).
Lipscomb states that the cross was repaired and remarked in 1826. According to Wise it previously had a tapered shaft and was considered by him to be of antiquity (B5), but Marples is of the opinion that the cross is relatively modern, perhaps mid-17th century (B2).
The cross is cut 1.0m depth through the turf and underlying loam into the living chalk, and is in good condition. The shafts, 6.0m wide extend 8.0m above the arms and some 16.0m below. The arms are 5.0m deep and 9.0m in length. The cross is positioned prominently just below the crest of a ridge upon the steep S-facing slopes, over-looking Princes Risborough. No further information has been gained towards dating it. Published 1:2500 survey correct (B16)
A rapid examination of air photography (6a) shows the cross figure located on the hillside (B17).

This record includes National Record of the Historic Environment Information provided by Historic England on 4 June 2025 licensed under the Open Government Licence.

Sources (25)

---SBC17198 Aerial Photograph: Aerofilms. 1959. Aerofilms oblique AP. SP82170399. Yes.
---SBC17338 Aerial Photograph: Mike Farley. 1986. BCM A11/3/16. SP\821038. Yes.
---SBC17414 Aerial Photograph: Mike Farley. 06/03/92. BCM A16/1/20-21. SP\821039. Yes.
---SBC17426 Aerial Photograph: Mike Farley. 01/07/77. BCM A2/25/6. SP\821039. Yes.
---SBC20828 Aerial Photograph: Major Allen. 1934. 1934 Ashmolean Museum (Major Allen) oblique AP. SP82180400. Yes.
---SBC23889 Aerial Photograph: Major Allen. 1933. 1933 Ashmolean Museum (Major Allen) oblique AP. SP82100400. Yes.
<1>SBC14006 Scheduling record: English Heritage. 1996. SCHEDULING LISTS OF INSPECTORATE OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS.
<2>SBC8211 Bibliographic reference: Marples M. 1949. MARPLES M 1949 WHITE HORSES & OTHER HILL FIGURES PP137FF, FIG 25 & PLS 37-38, 40.
<3>SBC16782 Bibliographic reference: Francis Wise. 1742. FURTHER OBSERVATIONS UPON THE WHITE HORSE & OTHER ANTIQUITIES...WITH AN ACCOUNT OF WHITELEAF CROSS IN BUCKS pp34FF.
<4>SBC13289 Article in serial: RECS OF BUCKS 1857 1 PP219-224; 1896 7 PP559-567.
<5>SBC14056 Article in serial: W Lindsay Scott. 1937. SCOTT W L 1937 ANTIQUITY 11 PP100-104. Vol 11.
<6>SBC5599 Article in serial: 1827. GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE 1827 97 PT2 P79. Vol 97 Part 2.
<7>SBC20460 Bibliographic reference: William Page (ed). 1905. A History of Buckinghamshire (Victoria County History) Volume I. Volume 1. pp189-190.
<8>SBC20466 Bibliographic reference: Royal Commision on Historical Monuments. 1912. Historical Monuments in Buckinghamshire Volume 1. Volume 1. pp262-263.
<9>SBC9915 Bibliographic reference: Newman P. 1987. GODS & GRAVEN IMAGES PP162-171.
<10>SBC16786 Article in serial: Julia Wise. 1991. 'A Survey of Prehistoric and Later Earthworks on Whiteleaf Hill', in Recs of Bucks 33 PP108-113. Vol 33.
<11>SBC19447 Unpublished document: Kidd S. 2000. Whiteleaf Hill site visit and condition report.
<12>SBC19161 Unpublished document: Michael Farley Archaeology. 2000. Whiteleaf Local Nature Reserve, Princes Risborough.
<12>SBC25936 Unpublished document: Michael Farley Archaeology. 2000. Whiteleaf Local Nature Reserve: Texts for Interpretation of the Archaeology and History of the Site.
<13>SBC19448 Graphic material: ?1742. CRUX SAXONICA.
<14>SBC23046 Article in serial: Gill Hey, Caroline Dennis & Andrew Mayes. 2007. 'Archaeological Investigations on Whiteleaf Hill, Princes Risborough, 2002-6', in Records of Bucks 47 pp1-80. Vol 47, Part 2.
<15>SBC23314 Unpublished document: Oxford Archaeology. 2008. New Stock Fence, Whiteleaf Hill, Princes Risborough: Archaeological Watching Brief Report.
<16>SBC29088 Verbal communication: A S Phillips. 1970. Field Investigators Comments - F1 ASP 14-MAY-70.
<17>SBC28615 Unpublished document: Andrew Miller. 1994. RCHME: AP Primary Recording Project.
<18>SBC27441 Digital archive: Historic England. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE). Insert 1997; Update 1999, 2002, 2004.

Location

Grid reference	SP 82162 03993 (point)
Civil Parish	PRINCES RISBOROUGH, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (4)

Event - Survey: Condition survey (EBC15939)
Event - Survey: RCHME: Air Photograph Primary Recording Project 1992-1996 (EBC18831)
Event - Survey: Topographic earthwork survey (EBC11093)
Event - Intervention: Watching brief (Ref: PRRWHH 08) (EBC17150)

Record last edited

Feb 12 2026 12:15PM