A bit of History

The Shackle-cross / Shall Cross





The word ‘Shallcross’ is of Anglo-Saxon origin derived from a place called Shacklecross named after an ancient cross in the High Peak of Derbyshire to the south of Whaley Bridge (formerly Yeardsley Cum Whaley). One explanation of the name is that it derives from the Old Norse word, ‘shakel’, meaning a tapered pole, which describes the shape of the shaft of the cross. Another explanation is that in Middle English, ‘sceacol’ means a bond or chain and hence the cross known as ‘Shacklecross’ was a place where penitents were fettered until they had atoned for the sins they had committed.


The cross is said to commemorate a mission to the High Peak by Archbishop Paulinus of York (subsequently St Paulinus). Paulinus (563 – 644) was the first Archbishop of York from 625 until 633. The original cross was made of wood, which was replaced by a stone replica in the eighth century. The surviving cross, of which only the shaft remains, was subsequently removed from its location and used as the pedestal for a sundial in a garden. Subsequently, this was discovered and returned to the junction of Elnor Lane and Old Road (the Roman road to Buxton). This monument is now a scheduled Ancient Monument registered as an Anglo Scandinavian high cross known as ‘Shall Cross’.


Shallcross Hall (or Shallcross Manor as it was known locally) was situated on the hillside, south of Whaley Bridge, overlooking the later Cromford and High Peak Railway, which connected the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge to the Cromford Canal at Cromford Wharf.


It is understood that the land upon which Shallcross Hall was eventually built was given to a member of the Shallcross family by King Edward III for services rendered during the Battle of Crécy in 1346 (part of the Hundred Years’ War). The land given by the king would have extended over a considerable area but by the middle of the 20th century this had shrunk to around 17 acres. The last hall on the site was built in 1723 by John Shallcross, who was then the sheriff of the county, and it was surrounded by a ha-ha to provide uninterrupted views over the surrounding countryside. The architect was James Gibbs.




Shallcross Hall, early 20th century.

Members of the Shallcross family were interred in tombs at St James’s Church in nearby Taxal and it is notable that several female members of the family were given the Christian name of Letitia, which means ‘Joy’ in Latin.

Shallcross Hall eventually fell into disrepair and over the period 1968/70 it was pillaged for its fixtures, fittings and floorboards after which it was set on fire. It then joined the ranks of some 137 significant country houses known to have been lost in Derbyshire. Today, the name of the hall is recalled by Shallcross Hall Farm, Shallcross Hall Cottages and Manor Road, the latter being situated off the east side of Buxton Road (A5004).


The High Peak Halfpenny Token



 The ground beneath Shallcross Hall contained coal seams and by the early 1600s this was being mined1. Richard Shallcross (born 1632, son of George Shallcross) became the Bailiff of High Peak and a Surveyor for the Duchy of Lancaster. As a landowner, he also owned the mineral rights and it is quite likely that he was responsible for the issue of halfpenny tokens for ‘High Peake Cole Mines in Darby – Sheire’.

Referring to the drawings of a High Peak Halfpenny Token:

Obverse, left: The escutcheon (shield) from the Coat of Arms of the Shallcross family with the legend, ‘HIGH PEAKE COLE MINES’

Reverse, right: A martlet holding a cross with the legend, ‘IN DARBY – SHEIRE’


The escutcheon on the obverse depicts a saltire between four amulets. On the actual Coat of Arms the saltire and the four amulets are gold (Or) on a red (Gules) background.

The martlet on the reverse is a heraldic small bird without feet. In English heraldry the martlet represents a swift. The inability of a martlet to land is taken to symbolize a constant quest for knowledge, learning and adventure. It is also a symbol of hard work and perseverance. It was also the symbol of the fourth son in a family who had no well defined place and had to make his own way in life. Traditionally, the first son inherited the estate, the second went into the church and the third went into the army.