...on the estates of the nobles and good men of the Saxon race it is the custom to have a Cross, which is dedicated to Our Lord and held in great reverence, erected on some prominent spot, for the convenience of those who wish to pray before it.

...the Anglo-Saxon nun, Hunebere

Prominent features of a locality and customary places of congregation, standing crosses attracted much activity about them. At Milborne Port (south Somerset), the borough's parliamentary elections were held around the village cross. In Kent, the Courts of Brotherhood and Guestling met by a wayside cross to discuss the common interests of the Cinque Ports until such assemblies were moved to a meeting hall in New Romney.

Over time, many ancient standing crosses have been damaged and only their base remains. The shafts of many crosses were destroyed by the troopers of the Puritan Commonwealth after the Civil War to leave only the bases.
(SOMERSET: Milborne Port)

The 14th century cross which marks the site of the High Altar at Shaftesbury Abbey is unusual in that it is the only Gothic cross to have alabaster plaques set into it. It also has a niche which once held a relic.