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Standing Stone / Menhir
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In his book The Spirit Paths of Wales (ISBN: 1-85284-289-X) Laurence Main describes Maen Serth:Maen Serth (Steep Stone) is a prominent standing stone which stands 7ft 2ins high, 6ins thick and 1ft 8ins broad, at an altitude of 15000ft. It was erected in the Bronze Age and had a cross carved on it around AD 800. The Welsh chieftain of Elvel, Einion Clud, was murdered by the English here in a tournament in the late 12th century. Main writes confidently about this site and others, but doesn't include any of his sources.
On the BBC web site (see the link below) a short article by Roger Hulm gives a more detailed account of the legend, this time identifying the murderer as Roger Mortimer (a Norman):The story goes that in the late 12th century, there was a dispute over the land surrounding Rhayader between the Norman 'Marcher' Lord, Roger Mortimer, and the Welsh chieftains - Rhys ap Gruffydd and the two brothers, Cadwallon and Einon Clud. During a temporary 'lull' in hostilities, at Christmas 1176, these men had gathered at Rhys' castle to feast and joust.
At the jousting event, the Welshman Einon Clud defeated Roger Mortimer but the Norman was a bad sportsman. He ambushed Einon on the hill above Rhayader and killed him as he was returning home. A short time later, the other brother was also ambushed by Mortimer on the same hill and killed.
It was said that Maen Serth was the place of the double killing which has given another local name to the stone - the 'Princes' Stone'. Text as visited 23rd March 2006.
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Posted by Kammer
25th April 2004ce
Edited 23rd March 2006ce
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