Egbert's Stones Standing Stones View all content for Egbert's Stones

I've been searching for these sarsen stones for some time... The story in the area (see Folklore) is that these marked the place where King Alfred addressed his forces before the Battle of Edington. They are believed to be the remains of a chambered mound, with the back and cap stones assumed to have been nabbed by a farmer. And on that theme, a Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine of 1877 states "certain large stones were examined: they are called 'Egbert's Stones' or 'King's Stones' and are spoken of by the Saxon Chroniclers; they were brought by a farmer from King's Court Hill, where King Egbert is traditionally said to have held court…" ('Kingston' may mean 'King's stone', or may not.) Terence Meaden (albeit a controversial figure) has been campaigning for the stones to be returned to Court Hill (ST835368), where he believes the original chambered mound lay. (The area is rich in long barrows and tumuli.)

Posted by awrc 25th May 2004ce Edited 25th May 2004ce

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