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Introduction
Berkshire
Brecknockshire
Gloucestershire
Herefordshire
Monmouthshire
Oxfordshire
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
Section 4.5 Trellech Harold's Stones
Long Barrows of the Cotswolds is in Prehistory.
The Long Barrows of the Cotswolds. A Description of Long Barrows, Stone Circles and other Megalithic Remains in the area covered by Sheet 8 of the Quarter-inch Ordnance Survey comprising the Cotswolds and the Welsh Marches By O. G. S. Crawford (age 38), B.A., F.S.A. Archæology Officer, Ordnance Survey. Published by John Bellows, Gloucester, 1925.
Books, Prehistory, Long Barrows of the Cotswolds, Section 2 Long Barrows
Books, Prehistory, Long Barrows of the Cotswolds, Section 4 Mound
Books, Prehistory, Long Barrows of the Cotswolds, Section 4 Mound, Section 4.5 Monmouthshire
Books, Prehistory, Long Barrows of the Cotswolds, Section 4 Mound, Section 4.5 Monmouthshire, Section 4.5 Trellech Harold's Stones
Harold's Stones, Trellech [Map]
Monmouthshire, 20 N.E. Parish of Trelleck. 114.
Latitude 51° 44' 32". Longitude 2° 43' 31". Height above O.D. about 670 feet.
Mr. J. G. Wood, M.A., F.S.A., points out that these three stones cannot possibly be the remains of a circle, as suggested by Mrs. Bagnal-Oakeley, since the diameter would be 672 feet, far greater than that of the Keswick Circle, and quite impossible here on account of the nature of the ground. With reference to the name "Harold’s Stones" Mr. Wood remarks:— "A stone such as these was called Har-stan, which means old or hoary. Hence Dr. Grifiin (that first class guesser) probably invented 'Harold’s Stones.'"
A plan (reproduced here) elevation and sketch of the stones is amongst the Lukis MSS. in the Lukis Museum, Guernsey. From these it appears that they are oriented in a direction 72 degrees E. of true north. The S.W. stone leans considerably and is eleven feet high. The middle stone is 9 ft. 11 ins. high. The N.E. stone is 8 ft. 3 ins. high. The original drawing is by Sir Henry Dryden, and is dated July 6th, 1841, There are also two copies. The purpose of these short alignments of huge uprights is obscure. Comparisons are suggested with the "Five Kings," near Rothbury, Northumberland, and the "Devil’s Arrows" near Boroughbridge, Yorks.
Rude Stone Monuments in Monmouthshire, by M. E. Bagnall-Oakeley, 1889, pp. 13-15. Plates V. (view) and VI. (plan),
Lukis Collection (MSS), Lukis Museum, Guernsey.
