Osmotherley Cross and Barter Table

The mornings have become more gloomier as October draws to a close, and an early start meant the honey pot that is Osmotherley was quiet.

Sited next to the village cross is the unique Barter Table, a large flat sandstone on chunky legs. It is thought to date from the 16th-century and was used as a permanent market stall for the selling of cheese, butter and other dairy produces until 1823 when the market folded¹Mead, Harry. “A Prospect of the North York Moors”. Page 21. The Hutton Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1 902709 10 1.. Osmotherley was once a chartered market town, with markets held on Saturdays and twice yearly fairs for sheep and cattle²Burns, Tom Scott. “Round and About The North Yorkshire Moors: A Glimpse of the Past”. Page 32. M.T.D. Rigg Publications. Reprinted 1989..

Before the World War One, it is said that a travelling fishmonger took advantage of the Barter Table and used it to display his produce³Mead, Harry. “A Prospect of the North York Moors”. Page 21. The Hutton Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1 902709 10 1..

The village ‘cross’ was erected in 1874 and replaced an older 14th-century one⁴Ibid.. A piece from the old cross was salvaged and can be seen standing against Thompson’s shop on the north side⁵Ibid. Page 19..

• 1
  Mead, Harry. “A Prospect of the North York Moors”. Page 21. The Hutton Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1 902709 10 1.
• 2
  Burns, Tom Scott. “Round and About The North Yorkshire Moors: A Glimpse of the Past”. Page 32. M.T.D. Rigg Publications. Reprinted 1989.
• 3
  Mead, Harry. “A Prospect of the North York Moors”. Page 21. The Hutton Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1 902709 10 1.
• 4
  Ibid.
• 5
  Ibid. Page 19.