The Rollright Stones are one of the best known stone circles in the British Isles, dating from the late neolithic period (2500 - 2000 BC). They lack the spectacle of Stonehenge, but they have a stillness and reclusive mystery, hiding from the traveller like a fox in a bush. The scale is human and does not intimidate like the giant processional menhirs of Avebury, and it is still possible to have the stones entirely to yourself if you pick your time.
The main circle of stones is called the King's Men. It is difficult
to count the stones (legend says it is impossible) but most people
arrive at a number between 70 and 80. In a nearby field there
is a large, solitary stone called the King Stone (above, left),
and a few hundred yards away is a group of stones called The Whispering
Knights (right). All the stones are weathered into grotesque shapes,
as rotton and riddled with holes as old timber.
The legend is that a king and his army came to conquer Britain, but when they arrived at Rollright, Mother Shipton of Shipton-under-Wychwood (a protagonist in many local legends) appeared before the king and said
Seven long strides thou shalt take,
And if Long Compton thou shalt see,
King of England thou shalt be.
The king saw no problem with this, but before he could complete his steps a hill rose up before him obscuring Long Compton, and the witch announced truimphantly
As Long Compton thou canst not see
King of England thou shalt not be
Rise up stick and stand still stone
For King of England thou shall be none
Thou and thy men hoar stones shall be
And I myself an elder tree.
The king, his men and his knights were turned to stone, and it is claimed that the witch-elder can be found in a nearby hedge (highly probable given the ubiquity of elder trees in hedgerows).
There is a great deal of folklore associated with the stones. Young women were rumoured to touch the King stone with their breasts at midnight for fertility. Fairies live under the stones. The stones dance. They go down to the stream to drink. The witch elder bleeds when cut. Witches have met there since time immemorial. There is no doubt that modern neopagans do meet there, and there are many accounts of nightime visitors coming across strange goings-on. Visitors should note that the main circle of the Kings Men is privately owned, and midnight frivolity could land you in trouble.
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Copyright Digital Brilliance 1995