Knightlow Hill - The Wroth Stone View all content for Knightlow Hill - The Wroth Stone

Easy to find, next to the north side A45 at the top of Knightlow Hill sits the Wroth Stone. This small yet enigmatic stone sits on a mound which, some say, marks the resting point of some ancient warrior. On the OS map it is called Knightlow Cross and it has the look of a base for wayside cross/marker. However the A45 an old coaching road and the Wroth Stone almost certainly pre-dates this. Why get all worked up about a time weathered stone at the side of the A45? The stone marks the site a ceremony which goes back to, at least, the time of the conquest. The Wroth Silver ceremony is performed at sunrise on 11 November each year where representatives of villages of the Knightlow Hundred pay a consideration to the Duke of Buccleach. Those who do not cough-up (1893 was the last time someone didn't) either face either a fine, or offers a white bull with red nose and ears (very, er, pagan). After the ceremony invited guests go to a local pub for a big breakfast with milk (and rum!). Feudal lord and master exercising his rights over the peasants - or Bronze age samhain festival - you decide. An excellent web page on this is at http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0850cityhistory/0100to1250/page.cfm?objectid=11005531&method=full&siteid=50003 There is also a locally produced book called (I think) Stretton on Dunsmore - Village history. Lots of information and photos about the ceremony. The images above show a close up of the stone and one of the mound (if you look closely!). Lastly, this monument is on private land - please be very respectful.

Posted by greenman 11th July 2002ce Edited 16th May 2009ce

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