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Origin and history

La Croix de l'Anglais, also known as the Cross of the English, is a monumental cross located in Saugues, in the Haute-Loire department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is located at the intersection of the streets of the New Towers and the Fossés. Dated from the 15th century, this wrought iron cross is composed of a rectangular stem set in a stone base, supporting a simple cross whose ends of the crucifixes are decorated with four petals surmounted by a button. No statutory elements are present.

According to tradition, this cross was erected during the siege of Saugues by the English in the 15th century. She would pay tribute to a French captain who died during this event. The cross has been listed as historical monuments since June 11, 1930, and belongs to the commune. Its sober style and its wrought iron bill make it a typical example of medieval road crosses, often linked to significant local events.

The location of the cross, at a crossroads, suggests its historic role as a landmark or symbol of protection for travellers and residents. The cross of paths, frequent in medieval Europe, also served as territorial or commemorative markers. In Saugues, this cross recalls an episode of conflict related to the Hundred Years' War, during which the region was able to undergo English incursions or local tensions linked to the changing alliances of the lords.

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