The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

Get the TMA Images feed
Stewart Guy | Blog

Latest Posts

Weblog

St: Arilda, Winterbourn Down & The Land Of The Ancients.


St: Arilda. Oldbury-on-Severn.

St Arilda is the patron saint of the church that stands on Cowhill, Oldbury-on-Severn, there are no other churches dedicated to this saint. St Arilda or Arildis, was a 'virgin martyr'. Her name in the form of Arild is Anglo-Saxon and connected with the name Hilda which means 'battle maiden'. Also as St: Afrella, born circa AD448 in Wales and died circa the 5th: century. But, what of her history?

In the Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral are empty niches which originally held the statues of three major and thirty-six minor saints. The central niche of the three minor ones on the extreme south edge once held a statue of St Arilda and the mason's aide-memoire can still be seen scratched into the stone. She has also been identified, less certainly in a light in the east window of the Lady Chapel.

There is also a feast day on 20. July to St: Arilda - in the Celtic Calendar, that is the day given to St: Afrella - and a hymn about her, which was sung on that day and this shows that she was a 'virgin consecrated to God and a martyr', having 'three times fought the power of sin'. A translation of the hymn follows below:-

Acclaim, O Mother Church,
Our voices raised in duteous salute,
Hymning at last
Arildis' memory.
Avowed to Christ,
The three-fold foe o'erthrown,
Self set at nought
She walked with God.
Wise virgin, Christ's betrothed,
Holding the world in scorn
You put on grace
Enrobed in light.
With body chaste and pure in mind,
Struggling 'gainst fleshly laws,
Never in human love to be held dear,
In highest heaven.
Gloucester, its people and its lands
Are lighted by thy bones.
Succour our misery, that we through thee
May live in peace.
O Arildis, of our monastery the advocate
And hope of balm,
Mother, to thee thy children cry to share
Maternal joy.
Speak to thy Christ on our behalf.
Make us in His sweet aura
Acknowledge thy betrothed, through whom
the chosen Angels look down.
God, who hast adorned virginity by the blessed honour of Arildis' martyrdom, and hast illumined that region with her sacred remains, grant to us pardon through her prayers, and to that place eternal safety through Our Lord.
Amen.

John Leland, tells us that St Arilda, was martyred at Kington, near Thornbury by Muncius, a Romano-British tyrant who cut off her head because she would not consent to lie with him and that she had also done many miracles. At Kington we find St: Arilda's Well. - Some of these Holy Wells and Springs throughout Britain were used for divinatory purposes, or for seeking blessings upon oneself and one's family, or for cursing one's enemies. A large number, having been hijacked and 'sainted' by the early Church, became places of pilgrimage connected with the cult of a local saint. Virtually all of these Holy Wells had their rituals which had to be performed in order to 'activate' the power of the water. This usually involved visiting the place only on certain acknowledged days. The Christianised or 'sainted' wells almost always had to be visited on the appropriate saint's day or on such dates as Easter Sunday or Whit Sunday. - Local tradition has it that the water runs red with her blood. The stones in the well's outflow are stained red. But not with the iron associated with chalybeate springs, but from a freshwater alga called Hildebrandia rivularis. St: Arilda's sister was St: Anna or Anne, who has two churches dedicated to her in Gloucestershire, at Oxenhall & Siston. She also has a Holy Well at St: Anne In The Woods, Brislington. St: Anna's first husband was Cynyr Ceinfarfog, his foster-son being King Arthur. The two sisters father was Vortimer Fendigaid, King of Gwerthefyriwg, eldest son of Vortigern Vorteneu. His other daughter was St: Madrun, probably named after the Romano-British mother goddess, Matrona. Legend has it, that Madrun and her handmaiden St: Annun, once stopped for the night at Trawsfynydd. Here they both had an identical dream in which they were commanded to build a nunnery where they slept. Amazed by this co-incidence, they did as required.

But, what of Cowhill? A circular churchyard which indicates an ancient holy site and Roman remains have been dug up there, pointing to a possible pre-Christian origin, particularly as the hill itself has always been a navigation mark for shipping on the River Severn. Four ley lines run from Cowhill, - The term 'ley' is a generic term for archaic linear features of all kinds. These lines appear in many different cultures and periods and manifest themselves in varying forms. Ultimately they and other linear features, lore and traditional concepts can be found to have a 'spirit' element of some kind, often spirits of the dead. But, if ley lines are the old straight track, then a standing stone, lone tree on a hill, etc: would always help you to find your way to a hill fort or stone circle. The first ley line passes through St: Arild's and Kington up to the Iron Age Hill Fort at Grovesend. The second from Cowhill, runs through Hay Wood to Henley Hill and then to the Iron Age Hill Fort, to Old Down and on to the Church at Tockington. Whereas the third goes from Cowhill, to a lost Standing Stone west of Pullens Green, across Oldbury Naite Rhine to an Iron Age Hill Fort. The fourth and longest runs from Cowhill, Titters Hill Tumulus, Old Down, site of a Roman Villa, Hortham Wood, Bradley Brook, St: Michael's Church at Winterbourne, Beacon Hill, Pye Corner, River Frome, Whiteshill, Mangotsfield, Staple Hill, Rodway Hill to Siston Common. From here the ley line is extended to Warmley, Cowhorn Hill, Earthworks, St: Mary's Church at Bitton and then to the River Avon.


Winterbourn Down.

Bury Hill Camp near Winterbourne Down, is said to be an Iron Age contour fort originally built by Celtic peoples and later used by the Romans from about 47AD to the 3rd: & 4th: centuries as a fortified camp. The fort is a round cornered rectangle in shape, on an approximately north/south axis. The long western side of the fort is along a steep hill edge above the River Frome and has been destroyed by quarrying, while the other three sides are generally on fairly flat land and make up a central ditch, with ramparts built on both the inner and outer sides of the ditch, with the outer rampart the higher. There is also a well which is fed by a spring. The Iberians buried their dead in large round mounds - Barrows - and it is believed that one such mound is in the grounds of Hillcrest, - (the highest point in the Parish), - near Winterbourne Down Church. From the 7th: Century BC onwards, however, there were a number of invasions by Celtic tribes from north west Germany and the Netherlands who defeated the Iberians largely on account of their superior weapons. The Iberians built strong defences against invaders and in recent years evidence has come to light that this Camp, was one of their defences.

The names Winterbourn(e) and Winterbourn(e) Down refer to a winter borne stream that dries up in summer. From Bury Hill Camp, cross over the River Frome to Winterbourne Down, up Hillcrest and passed the church - dedicated to All Saints - along Dragon Road to Beacon Lane in nearby Winterbourne, which derived its name from the fact that it was part of the highway leading from Almondsbury Hill to Hillcrest - two high points or places where Beacons used to be lit. - Is this a ley line? There are many legends of dragons and wells in England. The motif is always the same, a dragon prevents local people reaching the well, spring or other source of water. But is eventually slain by the hero. The dragon represents an energy path linking one reality to another, while wells mark a point where two realities meet. The Welsh call ley lines, dragon lines. They were called this, because the white dragon represented all that is good and wholesome in the world, whereas, the black dragon represented all that is bad and evil in the world. In Wales, the Goddess Elen of the Ways, who ruled sunrise and sunset, was also the guardian of the old paths. The paths of the Dragon today, are called ley lines. These lines of energy run absolutely straight, taking in most stone circles, standing stones, barrows, tumuli, wells, moats, hill forts and earthworks. When the Christian church arrived in Britain, many churches were built at places of ancient sanctity; therefore, today most old churches are on ley lines. The new dragon killer - church - took over the high ridges, while the old god took over the lowlands.

Winterbourne Down is steeped in tradition and the memory of a group called the 'Christmas Boys' who performed a play every Boxing Day, around the houses in the village lives on. The Christmas Boys Of Winterbourne Down perform their Mummers' Play each year. Although usually a broadly comic performance, the folk play seems to be based on the underlying theme of duality and resurrection and generally involve a battle between two or more characters, perhaps representing good against evil. Usually they feature a doctor who has a magic potion which is able to resuscitate a slain character. Some of the mummers' faces are blackened by way of disguise. The word mummer is sometimes explained to derive from Middle English mum ('silent') or Greek mommo ('mask'), but is more likely to be associated with Early New High German mummer ('disguised person'), and vermummen ('to wrap up, to disguise, to mask ones faces'). Today, they are joined by Winterbourn Down Border Morris. There is no known history of Morris dancing in the area prior to 1978, the side being originally formed as an all female side, largely from the partners of The Christmas Boys, as a means of providing more entertainment for the growing audiences.
Winterbourn Down Border Morris use music which is suited to their step-hop style, namely traditional hornpipes, jigs and polkas. Morris dancing is a form of English folk dance accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers. Dressed in clothes decorated with ribbons and with a small strip of bells. Implements such as sticks, swords, brooms and handkerchiefs are wielded by the dancers. While there is still some dispute over the origin of the term 'morris', the most widely accepted theory is that the term was 'moorish dance'. While the term Border Morris refers to a collection of individual local dances from villages along the English side of the Wales/England border and is a simpler, looser, more vigorous style.


Bristol & South Gloucestershire Sites Of Antiquity.

Using an OS Map 172 Bristol & Bath, most of the following sites are easily accessible.

Cowhill. - Ancient holy site.

A chamber tomb is a tomb for burial used in many different cultures:-
Druid Stoke. - Chambered Tomb. ST561762.
Wick. - Burial Chamber. ST706719.

A hill fort is a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for military advantage:-
Blaise Castle. - Hill Fort. - Iron Age. ST559784.
Goram. - Giant's Footprint. - A petrosomatoglyph is an image of parts of a human or animal body incised in rock. Many were created by the Celtic peoples. These representations date from the Early Middle Ages, others of uncertain purpose date back to megalithic times. They were an important form of symbolism, used in religious and secular ceremonies, such as the crowning of kings. Some are regarded as artefacts linked to saints and folklore heroes, such as King Arthur. The word comes from the Greek petros ('stone'), soma ('body'), and glyphein ('to carve'). Feet are the most common.
Gorm. - In the Saga of Gudmund and the Glittering Plains. King Gorm of Denmark undertakes a journey of discovery to the Glittering Plains and comes across the giants Geirrod & Gudmund, guardians of the land and who protect all men from peril, who sojourned there. King Gorm the Old, of Denmark, - (see the above saga) - had a stone monument raised in memory of his queen, Thyra. The runes carved on the stone read, 'King Gorm made this monument to Thyra his wife', while on the back is written, 'The jewel of Denmark'. Danish archaeologists have unearthed Gorm' Cup. While Harald's stone, was erected by Harald Bluetooth, in memory of his parents, King Gorm and Queen Thyra.
In a similar tale to that of Saint Christopher, by helping people across a river, Giant Gorm becomes known as 'Christofero', the Christ-carrier.
Gorham. - Gorham's Cave, Gibraltar was discovered in 1907, when Captain A. Gorham of the 2nd: Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers opened up a fissure at the back of a sea cavern. Captain Gorham inscribed his name and the date on the wall of the cave and since then, the cave has borne his name.

Bury Hill Camp. - Hill Fort. ST652791.
Clifton Camp. - Hill Fort. - Known to the Britons as Caer Oder. ST566733.
Dryham & Hinton. - Hill Fort. (Also, Long Mound with possible Chambered Tomb). - Possibly used by Ceawlin, King of the West Saxons, after his defeat of the Britons at Deorham, in 571 or 577.
Elberton. - Hill Fort.
Grovesend. - Hill Fort.
Kingsweston Hill. - Hill Fort. ST557782.
Knole Park Camp. - Hill fort. - Overlooks the River Severn and the district of the Silures.
Oldbury Court. - Hill Fort.
Oldbury-on-Severn. - Hill Fort. - Known as The Toots.
Old Down. - Hill Fort.
Sodbury Camp. - Hill Fort.
Stokeleigh Camp. - Hill Fort. ST559733.
Tytherington. - Hill Fort. - Probably of British origin.

A holy well or spring usually has a tradition of veneration or association with a religious or magical experience:-
Brislington. - St: Anne In The Wood Holy Well.
Kington. - St: Arild's Well.

Fishmonger's Swallet. - Human remains found date from the Iron Age.

A long barrow is a prehistoric monument dating to the early Neolithic period:-
Fox Covert. - Long Barrow with possible Chambered Tomb.
Lockleaze. - Long Barrow.
Tormarton. - Long Barrow.

Round barrows are one of the most common types of archaeological monuments:-
Alveston. - Round Barrow.
Bitton. - Round Barrow(s) & Earthworks. - Close to a Roman road which ran from Aquae Sulis to Venta Silurum. This had the name, Trajectus. ST678694.
Over Park. - Round Barrow.
Redhill. - Round Barrow.
Shortwood Hill. - Round Barrow. ST68457600.
Southmead. - Milltut Round Barrow.
Titters Hill. - Round Barrow.

Abson Church. - Sculptured Stone & Saxon knotwork stone. ST705749.

Standing Stones, a large block of stone, usually one of several which were set upright in the ground in the late Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages to form a circle or other significant shape:-
Armoury Square, Bristol. - Standing Stone. ST602738.
Portbury. - Standing Stone. ST503755.
Redland Park. - Standing Stone. ST579749.

Reference the following:-
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/55887/british_isles.html
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/3420/badocks_wood_barrow.html


Stewart Guy.

Weblog

Giant Goram and Bristol


goram


One of the main characters in Bristol folklore is that of a giant called Goram, who is attributed to the making of the Avon Gorge, with another giant who was named Ghyston. The fullest story we have of these two giants, is, one that is known as Ghyston and Goram. In the tale:-

These two giants lived near Bristol. They were friendly, though different in nature, Ghyston was industrious and energetic, where as Goram liked to take things easy. At the time that these two giants lived there was no River Avon or Avon Gorge and so all the animals of the area had to go to the Mendip Hills to get a drink.
Ghyston and Goram thought it would be a good thing to do something which would make them remembered for ever and accordingly they decided to make a gorge so that the animals would not have to go so far for water. They set to. But, having only one axe between them they stationed themselves a few miles apart. Firstly Ghyston hewed away and when he got tired he threw the axe to his friend Goram, who spent his time sunbathing, waiting for his turn. Then Goram began to cut at his end and threw back the axe when he had had enough.
So they worked and soon a stream began to trickle through the gorge. Then, Ghyston threw the axe back extra hard to Goram, who had in the meantime fallen asleep. The axe hit the sleeping giant on the head and killed him. Ghyston, surprised not to hear the sound of his friend working, went to see what was wrong. He was overcome with grief when he found what had happened and so laid Goram's body to rest at the place now known as Penpole Point.
Ghyston wandered far and wide, trying to forget his grief and eventually returned home. As he sat meditating by the river he died and fell into the River Severn where it was covered with sand and silt. But, at low tide it is said, that it is still possible to see his outline in a low sandbank.

Now Giant Goram was said to have lived in the district of Blaise Castle, which has long been associated with him. Visiting the area, one soon realizes that they have entered the home of this giant who was reputed to have been over 7 feet tall. The Concise Oxford Dictionary states that a giant is of :-

human form but superhuman stature: or an abnormally tall person.

This would surely give substance to the theory that giants were not necessarily legendary beings from Greek Mythology who warred against the Gods. But, just taller than their compatriots. One such person was Sir John Hauteville who lived at Norton Malreward in the thirteenth century.

Various feats of strength are told of Sir John. He is credited with having tossed a great rock from Maes Knoll to Stanton Drew, a mile and a half away.

This was a rehearsal for a match with the Devil, which Sir John won, for he threw his rock from Shute Shelve to Compton Bishop - again a mile and a half - and the Devil's throw was three furlongs shorter.

Returning to Blaise Castle and walking up the path from the fields near Henbury, almost to the top of the hill where the folly stands, there can be found a boulder which has a footprint embedded in it. This is said to be the footprint of Giant Goram as he walked that way one day. The Giant's Footprints are in fact of limestone erosion, unusual for this part of Britain. Legend blames the footprints on Goram, who stamped his feet into the solid rock while in a tantrum. Perhaps the credit for the footprints and the cutting of the Hazel Brook Gorge, more rightly belong to Goram's cousin, Jack Frost. - Frost personified.

Walk down into the valley, which lies at the bottom of the hill on the other side and one can soon see Goram's Soap Dish by the Henbury Trym. Looking up from here to the right of the rock face and carved into the rocks is the shape of a chair, known as Goram's Chair. Here, the legend is that Goram and Vincent, (Ghyston), both fell in love with Avona, (Avolon), a Wiltshire born merry bell. Avona promised to marry the giant who could first drain the great lake, which then stretched from Bradford-on-Avon to Rownham Hill. Goram chose to dig his way through the Henbury Hills, while Vincent opted for the Durdham Downs. The work was hot and thirsty and Goram, having drunk a little to much beer, soon fell asleep in his favourite stone-winged chair. Vincent furiously dug his way through to Sea Mills and so claimed the fair Avona. Avona gave her name to Vincent's Avon Gorge, while poor old Goram, his heart broken, hurled himself into the Severn where his head and shoulder can still be seen poking out of the mud as Flat Holm and Steep Holm. We are not told who it was that finished off Goram's channel through the Hazel Brook Gorge.

Is Avona actually a river, she gave her name to the Avon Gorge. So it must be said about the River Avon. In the 'Ulster Cycle', a collection of Irish heroic legends. Avon Dia, was a stretch of river, that held back its waves for fear of the mighty duel, in the river ford, between the champions, Cuchulain and Ferdia. Are Goram and Vincent, variants of Cuchulain and Ferdia. Or are the two Bristol Giants, role-playing an ancient mythological cycle. Which had been handed down through the years, by word of mouth.

In days gone by at Blaise Castle there was held once a year, Giant Goram's Fayre. At this fair an effigy of Goram was burnt on top of a bonfire. Recently , the fayre was revived. But, unfortunately only a shadow of its former self. The fayre has been held on several dates in the past - May, July and August. - But was said to have been held on Goram's birth or death, it is not quite sure which one it was nowadays.

But why should there be an effigy burning of this giant. Perhaps in times gone by, Goram was regarded as a sun-king, hence the fire burning. However, fire festivals have mostly died out now. The meaning of these bonfire customs, perhaps suggested an even more paganistic meaning of sacrificial rites. As the earlier spelling was, bonefire.

The tale of Vincent and Goram differs slightly from that of Ghyston and Goram, in as much, as the ending has been altered.

One day Vincent and Goram, two giants, decided to make the Avon Gorge. But Goram being lazy fell asleep, which left Vincent to do all the work.
After Vincent had finished making the gorge he stood on the edge and threw his pickaxe away. But, unfortunately. He lost his balance and fell into the gorge, killing himself.

There is also part of a story that Vincent and Goram were brothers, although in the Somerset tale about the making of Maes Knoll, Vincent is reputed to be the Lord of the Avon, (Annwn). In Welsh Mythology, Annwn is a Celtic otherworld or underworld, associated with fairy-folk, as a place of water-crossings and islands. Is Vincent the Devil or a Fairy Lord, who lived in the underworld. His home was a cave, after all. The Celts held hills in awe, as dwelling-places of spirits and otherworldly beings. Gwyn Ap Nudd, - (White Son Of Night), held his realm from the Vale Of Neath, South Glamorgan to Glastonbury Hill, Somerset. But who lived there? If this hill is associated with Annwn. Then it was the Plant Annwn and their maidens, the Gwragen Annwn. Along with their fairy cattle, the Gwartheg Y Llyn and their swift white hounds, the Cwn Annwn. Does this mean that Sir John Hauteville, Ghyston - Vincent and Goram - Gorm are of the Plant Annwn from Celtic Mythology? Although Vincent and Goram were brothers, they had a fight, - not on the Mendip Hills. - But on the Blackdown Hills. Or, perhaps this is a reference to a stone throwing contest between the Devil and a Giant. Was there a stone circle, quoits or standing stones near Blaise Castle?

It is also said of Vincent and Goram, that they lived in this area as guardpoints for the trackways that ran from the south of the River Avon into Gloucestershire. This may be a reference to ley lines, as there are many in this area. Ley lines are the track ways of the Ancient Britons - Old Celtic, Brittos - and are associated with many of our prehistoric monuments. These run in a direct line, whether viewed from a map or as field-work.

For example:-

Towns or Villages - beginning or ending with leigh or ley.
Standing Stones.
Holy wells/ponds.
Long or Round Barrows.
Churches - which have been dedicated to St: Micheal or a local saint.
Hills - e.g. Beacon Hill, etc:
Woods.
Encampments.
Coldharbours.

The first ley line runs from Beggars Bush, associated with the idea that it was used as an astronomical sighting point and therefore its original name was perhaps, Burning Bush, because as the sun rises in the sky the leaves look red. Through the Iron Age camp at Stokeleigh, across the River Avon, along the Celtic Fields to Ashley Down, where at one time bonfires were lit. From Ashley Down, the ley line continues to the Long Barrow at Lockleaze and from there onto Coldharbour Farm, Stoke Gifford - another astronomical sighting point. A matter of 6 miles. This first ley line also extends its self on to Whatley's End. From here it crosses over the River Frome, towards Tubb's Bottom, keeping Beech Hill on the left. A second crossing of the River Frome and the ley line continues to Bury Hill. From here, through Burnt Wood and Littley Wood to Inglestone Common. A 7 ¼ mile journey. This makes the complete ley line 16 ¼ miles long, from start to finish. Which also crosses the church on Pigsty Hill, Bishopston. This church was built on a round barrow, clearly visible. It must also be noted that this ley line can not be extended southwards from Beggar's Bush.

The other ley line to run from the south, starts at Stokeleigh Camp, through Leigh Woods and across the River Avon and then on up to the two Iron Age hill forts at Blaise Castle. Being only 3 ½ miles long. Whether this ley line then went on to Spaniorum Hill is hard to tell.

It has also been suggested that Goram was a highwayman. Which is probably a throw-back to the legend of the ancient trackways. Not the type of mounted robber that held up people on the roads. As characterised by Louis Jeremiah Abershaw, Captain James Hind, etc:

Another variant on the gorge making theme, is that Goram is spelt with an h - making it G-O-R-H-A-M and not the usual way of G-O-R-A-M. In this story, Vincent is stated as being Gor(h)am's brother and after forming the gorge, Gor(h)am rested at Gor(h)am's Chair in Blaise Woods, while Vincent was turned to stone and became the rock called Vincent's Rock by the side of the Gorge.

It is my belief that Vincent is Ghyston. Mainly because near the Observatory at Clifton there once was a sign which read:-

'Ghyston Giant's Cave, St: Vincent's Rock, about 400 years ago'.

This sign stood there in the Victorian heyday but since then has disappeared. Also the name Ghyston can be traced back to 1481. Vincent was probably substituted for Ghyston, in an attempt for easier spelling and pronunciation. Or, because this was a result in the Christianisation of the name Ghyston.

There again, the cave was used by Ghyston and a hermit and bearing in mind, the close proximity of St: Vincent's Rock. Which may suggest, that the hermit was a follower of Vincent De Paul, founder of 'the congregation of priests of the mission'. Time has perhaps, clouded and confused the two names into one. Leaving us with, Vincent's or St: Vincent's Rock. Along with Clifton St: Vincent Football Club, who are members of the Bristol Downs League. Having at one time, been founder members of the Gloucestershire County League, until the late 1970's. Also, not forgetting the Giant Goram Public House, at Barrowmead Drive, Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

In Somerset Folklore, there is a giant whose name is spelt as G-O-R-M or G-O-R-M-E. This giant is attributed to the same stories as Goram. The question is that, is Gorm(e) really Goram? I am positive that the answer is yes. That Gorm(e) is a corruption of the spelling of Goram.

Giant Goram has three graves ascribed to him in Somerset. In Irish Mythology, the number 3 is associated with the Winter Goddess of Death, pictured as The Three Fates, or The Three Furies, or The Three Graeae, or The Three-headed Bitch. One grave is on Charnborough Hill, near Holcombe. A tumulus which stands on a ley line. Running centre of two tumuli near East Horrington, the ley line passes Athwick Church, a tumulus, Holcombe, Luckington Cross, Mells Down, until it reaches a Long Barrow. The second grave, now destroyed at Combe St: Nicholas, was probably a tumulus. Whereas, the third, was two groups of tumuli on either side of Cam Brook, a branch of the Wellow. Whereas Giant Gorm(e) is said to be responsible for the forming of the Avon Gorge. However, he quarrelled with someone (?) and was obliged to flee. As he did so, he tripped and fell and his bones became Brean Down, Flat Holm and Steep Holm.

Giant Gorm is also attributed to making Maes Knoll, while walking across the Mendip Hills with a shovel full of earth he disturbs Vincent, who has now become the Lord of the Avon and as he runs away he trips and falls to the ground. The earth then comes off of the shovel and lands on the ground to become Maes Knoll. Where the shovel scraped the ground, it became known as Wansdyke.

If I may return to expound the theory that Gorm(e) is Goram, we have now four spellings; G-O-R-M, G-O-R-M-E, G-O-R-A-M and G-O-R-H-A-M. Making a table, they become broken down in this manner:-

GORM.
GORM(E).
GORME.
GOR(A)M.
GORAM.
GOR(H)AM.
GORHAM.

The dialect for Gor is Gaum - Understanding. But the Old English Gar meaning spear, with reference to shape of spearhead. - Individual or group chosen to lead a thrust or attack, act as spearhead of (attack etc:). - Gorm Glas was the sword of Conor Mac Nessa. Also, Gorm, Blue, is the colour correspondence associated with Gort. The 12th: Ogham character, of the Celtic Tree Alphabet. Being that, of the flowering season, 30. September until 27. October. In the Baski or Basque language, Gora means tall or high. Whereas, Ham - Heavy-handed, clumsy. Old English Ham, Hom, - Old High German Ham(m)a, Old Norse Hom from Germanic Ham(m) - Be crooked. - Deformed.

So:-

GOR (GAR - SPEARHEAD) - (H)AM (CLUMSY)
- CLUMSY SPEARHEAD.

From the stories related, we can form an opinion that Goram was not only lazy. But, also clumsy. So perhaps he was part of some ancient British spearhead. Also ham can be traced to deformed and for an abnormally tall person Goram would have obviously been called a giant, if he did exist at all. But Bristol is not alone in claiming Goram for their own. Viking Mythology has mention of Earl Gorm from Ethiopia. Gromer Somer Jour. - 'Man of the Summer's Day'. Is a kind of old nature spirit. The summer equivalent of The Green Knight? Grom. - Old Norse word meaning 'child'. In Tristan and Isolde, Morholt was brother-in-law of King Goram of Ireland. Goram had married Isolde the Elder, sister of Morholt who was a giant and powerful knight. Tantris - (Tristan) - spent many days with Goram's daughter, teaching her the art of playing the harp. King Goram had promised to reward any hero, his daughter's hand in marriage, if the suitor could kill the dragon…… Goram's seneschal had found the dead dragon…… Queen Isolde brought Tristan's claim to her husband Goram…… Goram set the next day for the duel. Since Goram's wife had favoured Tristan's claim.

As for the spelling of Ghyston, Ghy has evaded any possibility of being translated as yet. But Ston may be derived from the Old English Stan, - Old Saxon Sten which has today become the word stone. So, the last part of Ghyston, suggests a stone throwing giant, of some calibre. In Basque, Vinze means at the foot of, - as Goram's brother, Vincent, is said to be buried below St: Vincent's Rocks in the Avon Gorge.

Another old legend concerning Vincent and Goram and the origin of the Avon Gorge and the ravine at Blaise Castle, along with Goram's Chair, which was written down by a rhymer, unfortunately, long forgotten.

In it, he tells of the two giants height:-

'They'd have nursed the Colossus of Rhodes as a doll,
And performed a fit feat for mankind to admire:
As a humming top using the Dome of St: Paul
Or have made it a peg top with Salisbury Spire'.

The legend goes on to tell, how the brothers decided to do something to make them, forever famous. Goram's idea was to raise a lofty mound of rocks, mingled with the bones of huge creatures. But, Vincent suggested that a great gorge should be hewn through the massive rocks to form a wonderful channel for a river.

Vincent set to work and progressed so well that Goram became envious and so decided to hew a rival gorge. But not having a pick-axe, he had to borrow the one that Vincent was using. Goram started, as the legend states, by:-

'Hewing himself a great arm chair,
Wherein he might sit with an easy air,
And cool his toes in the stream below'.

A shout of warning was always to be given before the axe was thrown the three mile distance. But as we have heard before, Goram fell fast asleep and the axe hit Goram, splitting open his skull. Vincent's remorse was terrible. In an attempt to forget his share in the tragedy, he worked doubly hard at his gorge, the Avon Gorge.

The tale ends, telling of Vincent:-

'With such a view, it was he who threw
The stones together at Stanton Drew,
And ranged in rank, on Salisbury Plain,
Those wondrous piles that yet remain.
Then swam across to the Emerald Isle,
And built the Giant's Causeway there'.

Before returning to his gorge to pass his last hours, seated upon the rocks which bear his name.

It is uncertain. But, probably the rhymer was reminiscently, recalling Greek Mythology and that of the Hyperboreans, when he wrote those lines.

Before we leave Blaise Castle, there is another Ley Line which runs from St: Vincent's Rocks to Blaise Castle and has connections with Druidry.

Mention has already been made of Stanton Drew, (Stan Tren. - The stone enclosure) and its Standing Stones, said to represent a wedding party turned to stone for continuing their Saturday night revels into Sunday morning.

The Stones consist of three stones circles, two of which have stone avenues extending eastwards from them, a 'cove' and a single stone known as Hauteville's Quoit. In the 18th: century a second stone was near it and both were standing. The survivor today, much damaged, is 7 feet long and fallen.

A line through the centres of the north-eastern and central circles will pass through the 'cove'. Also a line drawn through the centres of the south-western and central circles will, if projected north-eastwards, continue to Hauteville's Quoit. The 'cove' is a u-shaped setting of two large uprights with a fallen stone between them.

The folk tale regarding the stones, is that of the Devil as fidder, played faster, as wedding guests danced quicker. A single cock crowed, at dawn, on Sunday morning and all were turned to stone. Does this tale hold an older truth for the stones. The 'cove' was said to have been used by Druids and the horseshoe of the Old Mother. The wedding feast could be human circle dancing. The summer sunrise is in the north-east and of highest inspiration and power, the high force of light at the midsummer solstice - 21. June. (Alban Heruin). The male or bisexual, powerful mature sun. Water. Og or Trutates. Ancient ceremonial circle - The Skryer. Modern ceremonial circle - Summer Solstice. The Right-hand Pillar. The Pendragon. A Sun circle. - Union of male with female. East is represented by Jupiter, the rays from the equinoxes and the times of balance - 23. September. (Alban Elued). Main season of gathering crops. Air. The Dagda or Ceridwen. - 21. March. (Alben Eiler). The growing youth. Fire. Aenghus Og. Ancient ceremonial circle - The Elevated Chair. Modern ceremonial circle - Place of Equinox. The High Seat. The Aberth. The Ancient One. A Jupiter circle. - Father-mother. While the winter sunset is in the south-west. - 21. December. (Alban Arthuan). The seed - period of the life-spirit. Earth. Great Mother as Mabinog, is clearly a Mother-goddess ceremony. Ceridwen and Hu-Hesus. Modern ceremonial circle - Herald. A Moon circle. - Power. Was the Devil as fiddler, said to return to play again and set them free, a reminder that people do not dance around stones, without making rhythmic sounds. Not all menhirs are humanized. But, the continual mention of dancing, linked with names of stones, implies it.

Were the peoples living at Stanton Drew sun worshipers, as at Bath. The sun is distinctly Beli, Bel or Belinus. Forming a pair with the Great Mother. - Feminine, Sul or Suet. Sul is a water mother. The River Chew runs close by to the north-east circle, so there could have been river worship here as well.

The north-east circle has 13 stones - standing and fallen. The great circle has 15 stones - standing and fallen. The south-west circle has 5 stones - standing and fallen. The 'cove' has 3 stones - 2 standing and 1 fallen. In numerology:- Three - creative energy, triangle, 3 rays, Saturn: One + Three = Four - balance, Earth, Jupiter: Five - intelligent, energy, Mars: One + Five = Six - double triangle, balance and union of male and female, Sun.

Ruled by the White Goddess whose sacred number is thirteen, in so far as, her courses coincide with the Solar Year. But, fifteen, in so far as, the Full Moon falls on the fifteenth day of each lunation. Fifteen is also the multiple of three and five. Three expressing the three phases of the Moon and the Goddess's three aspects of maiden, nymph and hag. While, five expresses the five stations of her year, birth, initiation, consummation, response and death. This all points to Stanton Drew being an astrological calculator, as is the Avebury complex and Stonehenge.

During November 1997, nine concentric circles of wooden postholes were discovered at Stanton Drew, making it the largest Neolithic temple in Britain. Being twice the size of Stonehenge and probably 500 years older. The wooden temple is more than 400 feet across including its outer ditch and contained nine circles of carved oak posts which may have been up to 25ft: high.

Are Blaise Castle, Star Hill, St: Vincent's Rocks, Brandon Hill, Crew's Hole, Bower Ashton, Durley Hill and Maes Knoll part of a bigger Zodiac encircling Bristol. Or are they a stylised mandala, which the unconscious of some, takes hold of and projects on to the landscape? Research using Pegasus - 'of the springs of water' and Orion - 'lord of the chambers of the south' and sites, major, secondary and minor around the area, the results were 50/50 and incomplete and would Goram be Pegasus/Orion. But, 'as above, so below'.

Today, the twin giants and mythical founders of Bristol, Vincent and Goram, are five lines in a leaflet about the Blaise Castle Estate.

Stewart Guy.
Stewart Guy hasn't added a profile


My TMA Content: