CUMMING’S CROSS Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A diversion if you are walking Hadrian’s Wall, en route if you are walking the Pennine Way, which you will have followed along Hadrian’s Wall from Thirlwall Castle. Doing neither – then approach from parking at Housesteads or it’s just about a mile from parking at N55 03.400 W002 19.038.
Magnificent views of Sewingshield Crags which also once had its own castle. Unfortunately, the site was levelled in the nineteenth century.
Legend says that Sewingshield Castle was one of King Arthur's many homes around the country. He once received a Northern Chieftain, named Comyn, here with great pomp and ceremony and bestowed upon him many sumptuous gifts. Arthur's sons, however, considered the presents far too valuable for a mere provincial. They followed the poor man to Haughton Common, ambushed his entourage, swiped the gifts and murdered their owner. It is not recorded whether King Arthur ever discovered who the perpetrators of this horrendous crime were, but he had a memorial cross erected at what then became known as Cummings (Kimmin’s/Comyn’s) Cross. It stands there still on the edge of the common. Rumour has it that the Northern Chieftan still roams the forest and the common seeking revenge and the hairs were bristling on the backs of our necks as we walked over the common and through the woods – perhaps best not to go alone!!
We’re not sure if we found the remains of the cross or not –we found a stump of wood in a stone base just beyond the gate, and consistent with the map reference, but it may have been an old fence post. If you find anything more substantial please post your pics here.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n sryyrq gerr fghzc haqre onex naq zbff.