Re: Circles under churches | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Littlestone Aug 18, 2005 10:33:06

Replying to VenerableBottyBurp

>...they wanted hard stones as foundation rubble and these were stones in the vicinity ?<

Doubt it VBB. Take a look at the stone at the corner of Pewsey Church - http://www.liminae.co.uk/pages/england_wiltshire_pewsey_church.htm - it's a real beauty (smooth reddish surface) and a recumbent SS if ever I saw one. If it was just used as foundation rubble why leave it undressed and protruding in such a way when it would have been quite easy to cut and neatly incorporate it into the church foundations proper.

A second stone under the third buttress from the corner is also visible.

nigelswift Aug 18, 2005 10:51:00

Replying to Littlestone

Gosh Littlestone, that's a really wierd picture. No way are those stones acting as the main support. The foundations, if any, will be continuous and quite deep. Those stones will have been inserted subsequently, for decorative or whatever reasons.
By a dotty Victorian antiquarian vicar maybe?

VenerableBottyBurp Aug 18, 2005 14:05:33

Replying to Littlestone

This is a decidely poor answer, but when I was a kid I thought those stones were additions. I thought there was a run-off behind that church that made ice on the corners and the stones were added to block the run.

I shall go back and have an adult look.

VBB