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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you know what an Eleanor Cross is?

308 replies

HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform · 19/07/2013 08:11

Without resorting to google?

I was made to feel a bit of an arse for not knowing what it was last night and wanted to know if my education had been lacking of if the guy was being a smug git. And yes, I know the guy was being a smug git for pointing out publicly that I didn't know, but I want to know if its something I should have paid more attention to at school be aware of.

AIBU to ask you if you've heard of it before? And have you?

OP posts:
googietheegg · 19/07/2013 10:50

No I didn't know - and I'm massively brainy!!! Smug man is a bell end.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 19/07/2013 10:51

Nope, never heard of them.

wriggletto · 19/07/2013 11:00

I did know about Eleanor crosses - isn't there an explanation of them on the Northern line tube platform at Charing Cross station, or am I imagining it? - but then I like history and romantic gestures like crosses and memorials tend to stick in my mind. We also had a history teacher who tried to make history seem more 'real' by going heavy on personal details like that.

I don't think you should let him make you feel bad about not knowing though. No one can possibly be expected to know everything, and learning new snippets without having to sit an exam on them is one of life's small pleasures as an adult. [Pollyanna face]

dontletmedowngently · 19/07/2013 11:02

I live in Northants so I did. Also DD is called Eleanor so she's pretty certain that all the 'Queen Eleanor' stuff around here is named after her personally!

Blatherskite · 19/07/2013 11:20

I had no idea until Squitten's post and I live in Milton Keynes and used to drive down Queen Eleanor Street daily!

I did know why Queen Eleanor Street was called that though.

I didn't grow up here (I'm a dirty Northerner like ABF's lot) and apparently all traces of the cross have been destroyed to the point where they're not even sure where it was so it's not something I'd have noticed unless I'd seen the plaque which Wikipedia says is on one of the houses on the high street.

I don't think it's a common knowledge thing really.

EBearhug · 19/07/2013 11:41

isn't there an explanation of them on the Northern line tube platform at Charing Cross station, or am I imagining it?

There is certainly something, up with all the giant woodcuts. I've read it in the past. I was looking at it yesterday morning as I was on the Northern Line, and I remember vaguely thinking (before I saw this thread), I can't remember what all this is about, must read the words again some time. Although I don't remember anything about Eleanor, but then I don't remember much of what it's about at all.

Obviously I haven't read it so far, and in the evening, I walked back to Waterloo anyway, so no tube stations at all.

quietbatperson · 19/07/2013 11:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsPennyapple · 19/07/2013 11:52

I think this guy only learned about them last week himself, and someone made him feel like an idiot for not knowing, so he decided to put someone else down, in turn.

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 19/07/2013 11:53

nope. never heard of it.

Jan49 · 19/07/2013 11:54

I'm in my early 50s, university educated, and never heard of them til this thread. Smile

HellonHeels · 19/07/2013 11:54

Yes I know - but I'm an immigrant to the UK and find English history fascinating. I wouldn't judge anyone for not knowing.

Would it make you feel better to know that my husband (born and bred cockney) didn't know what a tow path was used for? Grin

HellonHeels · 19/07/2013 11:55

Actually I should state that I find UK history fascinating, but most of my reading has been on English history. No offence to other nations!

elfycat · 19/07/2013 11:58

I knew because of Charing Cross and then lived up in Rutland and regularly passed the Geddinton one.

I'm a history geek with a passion for place names though.

Quenelle · 19/07/2013 12:00

I didn't until I read this thread.

I know lots of other quiz answers though.

bruffin · 19/07/2013 12:00

Yes i live in Cheshunt about 20 minutes walk from the Waltham Cross one, despite what someone said above it is not an unpleasant place to live. Plenty of open countryside and lots of the dc to do even as teenagers, just not very trendy.

LadyBeagleEyes · 19/07/2013 12:02

I'm Scottish and had no idea either.
Why should I?

piprabbit · 19/07/2013 12:06

Yes - I know. We used to live near one in Northamptonshire and the story appealed to my romantic side.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 19/07/2013 12:07

Yes I did know.

I think I learnt it for a pub quiz Blush

RunRabbit · 19/07/2013 12:11

No idea. I would have thought it was a name of a woman, but you used what not who so guessed it wasn't. Smile

Domaby · 19/07/2013 12:12

I knew. I think the only original ones are those at Waltham Cross, Geddington and Northampton. The others are replicas.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 19/07/2013 12:13

Pendant

A more recent theory of the name of Elephant and Castle is a connection with the City Livery companies. Look at the symbol of the Cutlers company
www.cutlerslondon.co.uk/

bruffin · 19/07/2013 12:30

I dont think there is much left of the orignal cross at Waltham Cross, its been restored a lot.

Ixia · 19/07/2013 12:35

Yes, because Dd is an Eleanor :) and also because we used to live in the next village to Harby, where Queen Eleanor died.

SilverOldie · 19/07/2013 12:43

Yes I know of them - one of the few things retained in my memory from school mumble years ago.

Nanny0gg · 19/07/2013 12:49

I knew, but I'm old (ish) and I used to love reading historical fiction.

I didn't learn about them in school (60s/70s)

More likely people would know if they like going to Quiz nights!

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