Stanton Drew stone circles
Henge monument | |
Site notes | |
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Condition | intact |
The Stanton Drew stone circles are just outside the village of
The Great Circle was surrounded by a ditch and is accompanied by smaller stone circles to the northeast and southwest. There is also a group of three stones, known as The Cove, in the garden of the local pub. Slightly further from the Great Circle is a single stone, known as Hautville's Quoit. Some of the stones are still vertical, but the majority are now recumbent, and some are no longer present.
The stone circles have been studied since
Monument
The most famous feature is the Great Circle, the second largest
A (now recumbent) standing stone called Hautville's Quoit lies across the river to the north on an alignment with the centres of the Great Circle and the southern circle. It is a large stone close to Hautville Quoit Farm, recumbent since at least the mid 17th century but assumed to have originally been upright.[10] Described by Stukeley in 1723 as being 13 feet (4.0 m) long,[11][12] it is now about half that length, Leslie Grinsell suggesting that fragments have occasionally been broken off for mending the roads. Stukeley also referred to the presence of a second stone.[13][14]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/StantonDrewstandingstone.jpg/220px-StantonDrewstandingstone.jpg)
Further to the west is a cove of two standing stones with a recumbent slab between them, which can be found in the garden of the Druid's Arms public house. All are of different heights, the stone to the north east being 4.4 metres (14 ft) the south western 3.1 metres (10 ft), and the north eastern 1.4 metres (4 ft 7 in).[15] The stones of The Cove are mineralogically different from those in the nearby stone circles. A long barrow burial chamber has been found under the stones of The Cove. It is thought that this predates the erection of the stones by approximately a thousand years.[16]
Excavations
In 1740 the site was surveyed and mapped by architect, freemason and antiquarian
When one of the stones fell in the mid 17th century, some human bones were discovered accompanied by an object described as a "round bell, like a large horse-bell". The burial date and the purpose of the bell-like object are unknown.[21][22]
Geophysical survey
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The geophysical work transformed the traditional view of Stanton Drew as being a surface monument and the Great Circle is now seen as being one of the largest and most impressive
Nearby and to the north east is a smaller ring of eight stones in the centre of which the geophysical work identified four further pits. A third ring of twelve stones, measuring 43 metres (141 ft) wide, stands to the south west.[27]
A fluxgate gradiometer survey in July 2009 investigated standing stones in the garden of the Druids Arms public house known as The Cove, which showed that the stones date from nearly a thousand years before the stone circles. The conclusion from the study was that these upright stones are likely to have been the portals or façade of a chambered tomb.[28]
In 2010 a further survey was carried out by Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society and the Bath and North East Somerset Archaeological Officer. This involved high data density magnetometer, resistance pseudosection profiles and photographic surveys showed a new henge entrance and further detail of post holes.[27]
Myths about Stanton Drew
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d2/Stanton_drew1886.jpg/220px-Stanton_drew1886.jpg)
Being a henge and stone circle site, astronomical alignments are a common theory to explain the positioning of the stones at Stanton Drew.
One theory suggests the site was dedicated to funerary ritual.[33] As a sacred site this is to be expected, but also then to be host to other significant events of the local community such as weddings and religious ceremonies. There are several local traditional stories about the megalithic complex. The best known tells how a wedding party was turned to stone: the party was held throughout Saturday, but a man clothed in black (the Devil in disguise) came and started to play his violin for the merrymakers after midnight, continuing into holy Sunday morning. When dawn broke, everybody had been turned to stone by the Demon: so the stone circles are the dancers, the avenues are the fiddlers and The Cove is the bride and the groom with the drunken churchman at their feet. They are still awaiting the Devil who promised to come back someday and play again for them.[34][35][36][37]
Wade and Wade in their 1929 book "Somerset" suggest:
One of the curiosities of the place is Hautville's Quoit, which, to save time, should also be looked for on approaching the village. (Enter iron gate on L. a few hundred yards before reaching tollhouse, and search backwards along the hedge bordering road.) It is a large stone, which legend says was hurled by Sir J. Hautville (whose effigy is in Chew Magna Church) from the top of Maes Knoll. The famous "druidical remains" will be found near the church. About 50 yards from the entrance to the churchyard take a lane to the L. leading to an orchard: the stones will be observed in the field beyond (admission free, but field closed on Sundays). The "remains" consist of three contiguous circles. The first is of considerable area, and is marked out by twelve large stones, only three of which remain upright; a smaller circle of eight stones lies just beyond; and a third circle of eight will be found farther away in an orchard on the R. The two larger circles have each a few scattered stones thrown off as a kind of avenue. Standing apart from the circles is a curious group of three stones huddled together in a garden abutting on the churchyard, from which they can be easily seen by looking over the W. boundary wall. These mystic rings probably had the same origin (whatever that may have been) as that of the more famous circle at Avebury in Wiltshire, with which they should be compared. The proximity of Maes Knoll is comparable with that of Silbury Hill. A ridiculous theory suggests that the monoliths were erected as a trophy after one of Arthur's victories. Arthur is connected to the site because a site in the nearby village of Camerley is reputed to be the location of Camelot in an oral tradition. The stones are of a reddish hue similar to that described in the Arthurian legend as connected to Camelot and to a sword that was seen in a stone near to Camelot. The country story is that a local wedding once took place on a Sunday, when the frivolous guests would insist on winding up with a dance. The penalty for a "Sabbath" thus "profaned" was the prompt transformation of the bridal party into stone. Hence the local appellation of "The fiddlers and the maids".[38]
References
- ^ Oswin, John; Richards, John; Sermon, Richard. "Stanton Drew 2010 Geophysical survey and other archaeological investigations" (PDF). Bath and North East Somerset Council. p. 63. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ^ a b Historic England. "Two stone circles and two stone avenues at Stanton Drew, east of Court Farm (1007911)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ McIntosh 2009, p. 266.
- ^ a b "History and research: Stanton Drew circles and cove". Portico. English Heritage. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ David 1998, p. 584.
- ^ "History of Stanton Drew Circles and Cove". English Heritage. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Stanton Drew Stone Circles". English Heritage Archeometry. Archived from the original on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2006.
- ^ Bull, Larry. "On Stanton Drew, Avebury and Stonehenge". University of the West of England. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ Pollard 2008, pp. 75–102.
- ^ Richards, John. "Hautville's Quoit and other archaeological investigations at Stanton Drew, 2012" (PDF). Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
- ^ Dymond 1877, pp. 297–307.
- ^ Historic England. "Standing stone called Hautville's Quoit (1002475)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ Strong 2012, p. 22.
- ^ Burl 1993, p. 187.
- ^ Historic England. "Stone cove at Stanton Drew 25 m south west of St Mary's Church (1007916)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ "Study of Stanton Drew stone circle reveals new secrets". BBC News. 20 October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ Elliot 2004, p. 40.
- ^ Haycock 2002, p. 220.
- ^ Hutton 2009, p. 105.
- ISBN 1134360533. Archivedfrom the original on 15 August 2016.
- ^ Historic England. "Stanton Drew Great Circle (201201)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- ^ Seyer 1821, p. 99.
- ^ "Stanton Drew Stone Circles". Artetech Publishing. Archived from the original on 20 November 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ "Stanton Drew". Stone Pages. Archived from the original on 9 July 2006. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ "Stanton Drew Timber Circle Digital Model". Digital Digging. 4 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ Strong 2008, p. 16.
- ^ a b Oswin, John; Richards, John; Sermon, Richard. "Stanton Drew 2010 Geophysical survey and other archaeological investigations" (PDF). Bath and North East Somerset. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ Oswin, John; Richards, John; Sermon, Richard. "Geophysical Survey at Stanton Drew, July 2009" (PDF). Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ Wilcox, R.O. "The Geometry of Stanton Drew". Adrian Kerton. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ "Ley-lines". Ancient Wisdom. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ "Stanton Drew". Ancient Wisdom. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ "Stanton Drew and its Ancient Stone Circles". Gordon Strong. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ Richards, John; Oswin, John; Simmonds, Vince. "The Big Ground Mound and other archaeological investigations at Quoit Farm, Stanton Drew, 2013" (PDF). Bath and Camerton Archeological Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ "Stanton Drew Stone Circles". Stone Pages. Archived from the original on 9 July 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2006.
- ^ "Stanton Drew Stone Circle". Haunted Britain. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ "Stanton Drew Stone Circle". Mysterious Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ "Stanton Drew Circles and Cove:History and Research". English Heritage. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^
Bibliography
- Burl, Aubrey (1993). From Carnac to Callanish: Prehistoric Stone Rows of Britain, Ireland and Brittany. Yale University Press. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-300-05575-7.
- David, Andrew (28 April 1998). "Stanton Drew". PAST the Newsletter of the Prehistoric Society. 71 (1851): 584. from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- Dymond, Charles William (1877). "The megalithic antiquities at Stanton Drew". Journal of the British Archaeological Association. 33 (3): 297–307. from the original on 23 September 2015.
- Elliot, Kirsten (2004). The myth maker: John Wood 1704–1754. Akeman Press. ISBN 978-0-9546138-2-2.
- Haycock, David Boyd (2002). William Stukeley: Science, Religion and Archaeology in Eighteenth-Century England. Boydell Press. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-85115-864-8.
- Hutton, Ronald (2009). Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-14485-7.
- McIntosh, Jane (2009). Handbook of Life in Prehistoric Europe. Oxford University Press. p. 266. ISBN 978-0-19-538476-5.
- Pollard, Joshua (2008). "Chapter 4 Neolithic and Early Bronze Age". In Webster, C.J. (ed.). The Archaeology of South West England (PDF). Somerset County Council. ISBN 978-0-86183-392-4. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- Seyer, Samuel (1821). Memoirs Historical and Topographical of Bristol and Its Neighbourhood: From the Earliest Period Down to the Present Time, Volume 1.
- Strong, Gordon (2008). Stanton Drew and its ancient stone circles. Wooden Books. ISBN 978-1-904263-73-9.
- Strong, Gordon (2012). The Sacred Stone Circles of Stanton Drew. Skylight Press. ISBN 978-1-908011-58-9.
Further reading
- Dymond, Charles William (1896). Ancient remains at Stanton Drew in the county of Somerset. Oakmagic Publications. ISBN 1-904330-07-X.
- Grinsell, Leslie Valentine (1956). Stanton Drew stone circles. Ministry of Works. ASIN B0000CJGPA.
- Grinsell, Leslie Valentine (1973). The folklore of Stanton Drew. St. Peter Port, Guernsey, C.I.: Toucan Press. ISBN 978-0-85694-041-5.
- Grinsell, Leslie Valentine (1994). Megalithic Monuments of Stanton Drew. LV Grinsell. ISBN 978-0-9523020-0-1.
- Legg, Rodney (1998). Stanton Drew: Great Western Temple. Dorset Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-948699-64-1.
- Morgan, LLoyd C. (1888). The stones of Stanton Drew : their source and origin. Bristol Naturalists' Society.
- Sibree, Ernest (1919). The Stanton Drew stones. Arrowsmith.
- "Stanton Drew stone circles". Megalithic Portal.
External links
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