or HOLY CROSS, a market-town of England, county of Essex, on the river Lea, 13 miles N.N.E. of London. It takes its name from a stately abbey created here by Harold II., and further endowed by Henry II. The present church formed part of the ancient abbey, and presents some interesting features of Norman architecture. It is about 90 feet in length by 48 in breadth, and has at the west end a square embattled tower 86 feet in height, bearing the date of 1558. There is a free school for the education of twenty boys and twenty girls. There are also several government powder-mills, which employ many of the inhabitants; as well as silk and corn mills, a pin-factory and malt-kilns. At Enfield Lock, about 2 miles below Waltham Abbey, is a government manufactory of firearms. Pop. (1851) 2329.