The Eleanor Cross, Charing Cross, London. The Eleanor Cross. E. M. Barry, architect. Thomas Earp, stonecarver. 1863-65. Portland stone, Mansfield stone and Aberdeen granite. Charing Cross Station forecourt, London WC2 This monument is properly called the Queen Eleanor Memorial Cross: "Charing" comes from Old English cierran, to turn, denoting the turning here from the Strand towards Westminster. In other words, "Charing Cross" indicates the location, not the name, of the cross.