The Yorkshire landmark that celebrated Napoleon’s defeat and Victoria’s Jubilee

Standing on a rocky outcrop on Barden Fell in North Yorkshire, Rylstone Cross is a poignant and impressive sight at any time of the year but perhaps particularly so at Easter.

The cross originally consisted of a sandstone pillar with the arms of the cross made from wood and attached by ironwork.

The sandstone pillar was built to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon in 1815.

An article by Mary Stoney in the Rylstone and District Parish Magazine from September 1995 explained: “Wages were low but still the people wanted to celebrate Napoleon’s defeat.

“In this parish there was no money for a monument but the men went up the fell, cut or chipped out a pillar from the rocks there and erected it in a prominent position.”

The cross did not follow until 1887 when it was created to celebrate 50 years of the reign of Queen Victoria. The cross was replaced in 1995 with a new one made entirely from stone and it was raised on the VE Day anniversary that year. There were time capsules left inside the stainless steel core with copies of all the local newspapers for that day or week.

Stoney’s report at the time explained that the replacement work had been a community effort. “Made in three large sections and sawn from a quarry in the Ripon district, the cost of airlifting them to the fell was generously met by the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

“Upon the fell the stone masons have worked many long hours making the sections fit and slot together into the cross and ready for erection. National Power have supplied and erected the scaffold and all that remains is to haul the cross into position.  

“We shall all be pleased to see the cross dominating the Rylstone skyline again, and our thanks go to all who have helped in any way to make this possible.”

Twenty-five years later, the sculpture remains a popular draw for walkers and photographers, given its location amongst such dramatic scenery.

At this tumultuous time, its longevity through the centuries and other dramatic moments in history is also a reminder that the darkest moments do pass.  

Technical Details: Nikon D4 camera, 17-35mm Nikkor lens, 1/160th second @ f5.6, ISO500.

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