The Rollright Stones in Oxfordshire are a group of prehistoric megalithic monuments. The stones have been pitted by erosion, giving them extraordinary shapes.

The Legend

A King and his army were marching over the Cotswolds when they met a witch, who addressed the King:

Seven long strides thou shalt take, and
if Long Compton thou canst see
King of England shalt thou be

The King strode forward, but on his seventh stride the ground rose up in a long mound obsuring the view of the village below. The witch then turned them all to stone, the King overlooking Long Compton, his men standing in a circle nearby, and his five knights whispering treachery further away

The King's Men Stone Circle

The King's Men is a ceremonial monument dating to 2500-2000BC. About 70 stones form a circle of 30m diameter. This is the easternmost stone circle in Britain, there being similar circles in the Lake District, Ireland and possibly Wales. My interpretation is of shining ghosts, innocent men preserved in a dark, brooding landscape.

The Whispering Knights

Situated about 300m from The King's Men are the remains of a portal dolmen burial chamber, dating to around 3800-3000BC. The chamber is thought to have contained the dismembered remains of several people...but who were they? My interpretation shows the colluding black knights against a dramatic sky.

The King Stone

The King Stone is a large single standing stone. It is thought to have been erected to mark a Bronze Age cemetery which was in use around 1800-1500BC. My interpretation shows the King, eternally caged for his greed. Alternatively it is a sad piece of social commentary...the railings protect the monument from damage. The stone was vandalised as long ago as the last century!

The Rollright Trust

The Rollright Trust was established in 1997 to conserve the stones and preserve their unspoilt character. For further details about the stones and the Trust click this link.

Cotswolds Cyberguide to the Rollright Stones

David Harris is a member of The Stone Circle Webring Click for the [ Next Page | Skip It | Next 5 ] Want to join The Stone Circle? Click here for info .

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