The Cross Keys
Preserved but no longer current.
Common in the mediaeval ages, and in allusion to St. Peter, or one of the bishops whose cognizance it is — probably the lord of the manor or the patron saint of the parish church. The cross keys are emblems of the papacy, St.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “The Cross Keys” mean?
Common in the mediaeval ages, and in allusion to St. Peter, or one of the bishops whose cognizance it is — probably the lord of the manor or the patron saint of the parish church. The cross keys are emblems of the papacy, St.
Is “The Cross Keys” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.