GeoGraph - photograph every grid square

Kirkby Malzeard market cross

The cross itself does not appear to be of any great age, but the market charter dates back over 700 years. West of the cross [shown better in Chris Heaton's photo] are a group of buildings which occupy the area that was once the market place. Kirkby was an important market and administration centre in the middle ages and for a long period [until the 18thC] it was the main market centre for an area stretching across the moors from Nidderdale to lower Wensleydale. Both Fountains and Byland Abbeys held land nearby, whilst market roads headed across the moors towards Pateley Bridge and upper Nidderdale.