Old Ralphs Cross half a mile west of Young Ralphs cross Westerdale Moor North Yorkshire Moors England

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Old Ralph stands isolated on Blakey Ridge, approximately 200 yards west of Young Ralph. It cannot be seen from Young Ralph, but by following a narrow track across the heather clad moor it soon comes into prominent view. Its positon is at the division of Esklets, Westerdale and Rosedale "A cross in that vicinity is mentioned in the Guisborough Charters of 1200AD as Crucem Radulphi. The cross may have been named after the Bishop Ralph of Guisborough Priory, a relation of De Brus of Danby Castle, and who in 1200 was given extensive grazing rights in this area. An elegant R is carved into the stone base, on the crosspiece of the shaft are the initials C D for Charles Duncombe and below the date 1708. There have been many folk tales written about the old cross which is supposedly named after a dalesman called Ralph who attached himself to the Rosedale Priory helping with the livestock and building jobs. He lived to a great age and was known by the dalesfolk as 'Aud Ralph Roas'le'."

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Size: 3734px × 5614px
Photo credit: © Mike Kipling Photography / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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