stations, or as praying stations, as is so frequently the case in
Brittany. But did they at cross-roads in any way serve the purpose
of the modern sign-post? They are certainly of very early origin.
The author of _Ecclesiastical Polity_ says that the erection of
wayside crosses was a very ancient practice. Chrysostom says that
they were common in his time. Eusebius says that their building
was begun by Constantine the Great to eradicate paganism. Juvenal
states that a shapeless post, with a marble head of Mercury on it,
was erected at cross-roads to point out the way; and Eusebius says
that wherever Constantine found a statue of Bivialia (the Roman
goddess who delivered from straying from the path), or of
Mercurius Triceps (who served the same kind purpose for the
Greeks), he pulled it down and had a cross placed upon the site.
If, then, these cross-road crosses of later medieval times also
had something to do with directions for the way, another source of
the designation 'White Cross' is by no means to be laughed out of
court, viz. that they were whitewashed, and thus more prominent
objects by day, and especially by night. It is quite certain that
many of them were whitewashed, for the remains of this may still
be seen on them. And the use of whitewash or plaister was far more
usual in England than is generally known. There is no doubt that
the whole of the outside of the abbey church of St. Albans, and of
White Castle, from top to base, were coated with whitewash."[49]


[48] _Ancient Crosses and Holy Wells of Lancashire,_ by Henry
Taylor, F.S.A.

[49] _Ibid._