Head To Head
Log In
Register
The Modern Antiquarian Forum »
Alton Priors »
Circles under churches
Log In to post a reply

Pages: 28 – [ Previous | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Next ]
Topic View: Flat | Threaded
FourWinds
FourWinds
10943 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 01, 2005, 23:45
Obviously a cove takes some beating, but I can offer a cist lid:

http://www.megalithomania.com/show/image/1210

Christianised:

http://www.megalithomania.com/show/image/1209

Next to a snapped off phallic stone:

http://www.megalithomania.com/show/image/1207

Next to a holed stone:

http://www.megalithomania.com/show/image/1208

All in one church yard.
FourWinds
FourWinds
10943 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 01, 2005, 23:47
This was built using the cairn off a passage tomb (the remains of which are just visible as a circular bump in the ground behind the building):

http://www.megalithomania.com/show/image/89

and also has a standing stone for a mantlepiece.
Pete G
Pete G
3506 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 01, 2005, 23:54
Ah Devils Dyke!
Where legend says the Devil is buried With His Wife!
I wondered if this was a Xtian conversion of the two Giants of Wilmington.
The Longman and the lost Windover hill figure.
PeteG
Pete G
Pete G
3506 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 01, 2005, 23:57
A royal flush?
Beats 3 of a kind!
;)
PeteG
mooncat
11 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 02, 2005, 16:13
I did a weblog piece on Beeby henge in Leicestershire. It holds a special fascination with me; it being where I grew up, before moving out.

Beeby (all saints) now defunct, sits upon a henge monument, with a holy well @ its roadside. was this a direct christianisation of a pagan site? I am intrigued as to the epidemiology of this; just how many are there out there? Avebury perhaps remains the most immfammy of the lot.

Cheers,

Mooncat. x
Wiggy
1696 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 04, 2005, 09:51
Hi Pete, do you know much about Durrington? There is an old war memorial, opposite the norman church, which is set into some old stones. I have seen photos which pre-date WW1 in which the stones (but not the memorial cross) are present. There is also a very old yew tree in the church yard.
I grew up in the area but it only recently occured to me that Durrington church could be on or near an older site - I dunno. Any ideas?
ocifant
ocifant
1758 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 04, 2005, 20:42
Probably not quite what you're looking for, but the main church in Chesham (who's name escapes me, NGR SP9501), appears to be built upon a circle of puddingstones.

Most of the main pillars have a sizable puddingstone at the base. Some photos can be found here: http://www.imperfect.freeserve.co.uk/Chesham/ though they'll be disappearing in a few weeks (the photos, not the puddingstones!), so grab 'em quick if they're of interest!
Pete G
Pete G
3506 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 04, 2005, 21:15
I don't know anything about the church but Durrington walls henge was excavated (again) last year by Josh Pollard at Bristol uni. Reports are forecoming.
There are several longbarrows around the village so I would expect the church to be on a site.
I met an old boy who lives there who has promised to show me some his photos.
He was the crane driver when they put the stonehenge lintels straight in the 1950's.
I'll pop down to the church for a looksee sometime soon.
I was there last month walking the Cursus and avenue.
PeteG
Littlestone
Littlestone
5386 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 04, 2005, 22:04
Thanks ocifant - fascinating! And the way the stones are placed under the buttresses is very similar to those placed under the buttresses at Pewsey -now how do you read that? That the old stones are literally 'supporting' the Church or are being subjugated by it?
Pete G
Pete G
3506 posts

Re: Circles under churches
May 04, 2005, 23:14
I think that by leaving the stones visible from the outside it shows some respect to the heathens/pagans.
They can touch the stones before coming into the church and being indoctrinated.
When I was young I was told that churchs with equal height spires or a single spire were for Xtians only, those with one spire smaller were tolerant of heathens at certain times of the year and those with one spire higher were heathen friendly at all times.
I have a lifelong passion for gargoyles and hunkypunks and pews end which often have the most amazing carvings.
PeteG
Pages: 28 – [ Previous | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Next ] Add a reply to this topic

The Modern Antiquarian Forum Index