Twelve crosses were originally erected to mark the resting places of Queen Eleanor's burial cortege in 1290. By the end of the 15th Century only three of these survived. The Society of Antiquaries was particularly concerned about the continuing survival of the one at Waltham and took steps to save it from the harmful effects of passing carriages and to this end even tried to have it removed in 1795 to the Lord of the Manor's estate.
Other watercolours of the Cross were executed by Thomas Underwood and William Alexander, both of which are in the Victoria and Albert Museum (see P. Conner, op.cit., p.66).