For some reason best known to the Ordinance Survey, it is the only standing stone in Leicestershire to appear marked on the maps. Maybe this is part of the “Magic” of the Stone, at work, as Leicestershire is dotted with other, more prominent Standing Stones.
The Humber Stone is located near the traffic island of Thurmaston Lane and Sandhill Avenue in the north-east of Leicester, now swallowed up into the conurbation of the city itself.
Estimated to weigh about 15-20 tons, it is of Mountsorrel (or syenite) granite rock, known as a glacial erratic. It may have been deposited during the last ice age, but human intervention in its siting cannot be ruled out. (One theory suggests that it was brought, by glacier, from the Humber, although this is unlikely.)
It is a matter for conjecture as to whether the stone gave its name to the near-by village, (also now within the city limits) or vice versa. There are several theories as to the derivation of the name. Contenders in the etymological stakes include amber or humberd, being of Druidic origin, as well as Humbeart’s Stan meaning “the stone belonging to the tribal chief Humbeart.” It has been known by several names over the centuries, which muddies the waters still further. These include Hoston, Holy Stone, Holstone or Hell Stone.
Ost End is the name of the field to the east of the Stone, and the one to the west is called West End, so the Stone was a landmark when the fields were laid out and named. There is also a Hell Hole Furlong nearby. Hell, Hole and Holy all have the same etymological root and occur in many place names throughout the country.
The Gods of the “Old Religion” (Paganism) became the Devil of the new (Christianity), in many other aspects of folklore and legend. If they couldn’t be “canonised” as in the case of Bride, who became St. Brigit, then they were made into figures of fear and loathing. Those who still worshipped the various aspects of the old Goddess and Her Consort, were often decried as Witches. Their ceremonies were said to be Devil Worship and, therefore, to be despised. In many cases the Christian Church overcame the problem by building their churches on Pagan sites. They even, often unwittingly, included Pagan images in the fabric of the buildings!
All of this further complicates any study of the roots of stories and names of the Stone. It does, however, explain why in some cases things are said to be both lucky and unlucky; it depended whether you heard it from a Christian or a Pagan!
It was extensively excavated in 1878, by William Pochin of nearby Barkby, for a geologist’s report about rocks carried by glaciers. He also removed a large piece of the Stone for analyses. Not long after doing so Mr. Pochin shot off half his hand! There is a photograph in the village archives of a man standing, dwarfed, next to the exposed rock, presumably Mr. Pochin, or one of his workers.
The Stone, recently partially re-excavated by “The Friends of the Humber Stone,” is thought to be some three metres high. However the “Friends” have only uncovered about one metre, as any more would need ground works on an engineering scale to ensure public safety.
It is believed to have stood exposed to the elements in an artificial hollow until about 1750, when the landowner decided to bury it so that the land could be ploughed. He was a Curate, so perhaps he also had ulterior motives for burying the Stone; maybe the locals still revered the old Pagan ways? Whatever his reasons, soon after the Stone had been covered, he was thrown from his gig and killed.
Much mystery and legend surrounds the Stone. Certainly no-one who harms the Stone prospers by doing so. There is a story of a wealthy landowner who broke a chunk off the Stone in the 18th century to try to destroy it so that the land could be used. Just six years later (in 1810), he died penniless and destitute in the parish workhouse!
Another story tells of a man who, whilst passing the Stone by Moonlight on his way home, heard “groaning” and fled in fear of his life.
Many tales relate to the faery-folk who are said to inhabit the Stone. They should on no account be upset, or misfortune in one form or another will befall the miscreant.
There is also rumour of an underground passage between the Stone and Leicester Abbey. This is now a ruin in Abbey Park, northwest Leicester, not far from the site of St. John’s Stone. (This was to be found between the roads of what are now Somerset Avenue and Milverton Avenue, in the north of the city, three miles to the West of the Humber Stone). Although no such tunnel has ever been found, these stories are thought to be folk memories of what have come to be known as “Ley Lines,” or lines of “Earth Energy.”
Other legends attached to the Stone include; if you touch, or worse, break pieces off the Stone your ears will turn to stone and if you fall asleep near or on the Stone you will be captured by the faeries.
There are reports of old people sitting on a huge granite rock at the top of nearby Thurmaston Lane, known locally as “the dangerous hill.” They would bathe their eyes in the pools of rain water that collected in its crevices in Summer, as this water was rumoured to have curative powers. Was this the Humber Stone? Locals who can remember this practice say not. They feel that the Humber Stone would not have been so benevolent! They say this was a second, smaller stone, if so it has been lost.
Now a listed monument, the Stone cannot be moved or tampered with. The new access road to the Hamilton housing estate had to avoid the Stone. It is said that this was due to the concerns of one member of the Planning Department who feared the consequences should the Stone be moved. It even forced the mighty “Tesco’s” to re-route their approach road.
The stories of the Humber Stone must spread far and wide. The travellers, who so thoughtlessly dumped rubbish far in the near-by car park and around the Lake, still revered the Stone enough not to desecrate it. Perhaps they didn’t want any part of their anatomy turned to stone!
Many local inhabitants don’t like to get too near the Stone, especially after dark. One near-by farmer would only talk to us over the fence after sundown recently; but then it was Hallow’een, (Samhain on the Pagan calendar), and a Full Moon to boot!
It is interesting to note the alignment of the Stone in relation to other Stones; the St. John’s Stone was due West, and the Moody Bush Stone is due East. These three are said to line up and the Sunrise of Beltane (May 1st) is said to be on this alignment.
Standing to the east of the Stone and looking towards Bradgate Park, it will be seen that the contours of the land are reflected in the contours of the Stone. Although this could just be coincidence, considering how many bits have been chipped of.
Another theory put forward is that Stones such as these were often arranged in a formation something like a wheel. One central Stone with several surrounding Stones marking the ends of the “spokes”. It is not known if the Humber Stone is the hub or a spoke marker!
