Stonehenge protest camp

Joined : 18 Jan 2008 Posts : 154

Arthur's up to his stuff again...!

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/display.var.2374314.0.druid_campaigns_at_stonehenge.php

Joined : 22 May 2008 Posts : 26

Subject: Re: Stonehenge protest camp Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:43 pm

Guest

Yeah, where's ya bluddy mates when ya need em. ? jocolor

Joined : 07 Jan 2008 Posts : 471 Location : Wiltshire

This post got me thinking again of the legend of King Athur - it comes in many variations. One of my most precious books is a children's book (its not dated so I think its from the early 20th century). Written by Christine Chaundler it has beautiful illustrations by Mackenzie.

The first chapter is about Merlin and is called The Great Magician. Here is an extract:

.......acting on the advice of his nobles, Aurelius sent for Merlin, to ask him to help him in his great undertaking. Merlin came willingly to serve under such a good king, and when he heard how Aurelius wished to build a monument that would endure forever, he told him that in Ireland there were some wonderful stones of which such a monument might well be made.

'Once,' he said, 'there was giant in Ireland who laboured greatly to build a circle of stones. He carried these stones himself from Africa, and they were so huge and weighty that a man now may not stir the least of them though he put forth all his strength'.

'Then how shall we bring them to this country, since they are so heavy?' asked Aurelius. 'And why should we send to Ireland for stone? Have we not in this realm stones enough and to spare?'

'Nay king' said Merlin. 'We have no such stones as these. For they are possessed of great merit, so that if a sick man be bathed in water with which they have been washed, they may be made whole from whatever hurt was upon them. There are no stones in the world that would make such an enduring monument as the stones the giant brought to Ireland long ago'.

I'm skipping a bit here but to continue

Then Merlin led the knights to the mountain of Kildare, upon the summit of which lay the magic stones. The Britons had never seen such enormous stones before, and they stared at them doubtfully, wondering how they should carry them across the sea. But Merlin cast a spell upon the huge blocks, so that for all their great size they became as light as pebbles. Then the knights were able to lift them easily and, carrying them to the ships, they set sail for Englan again.

When they reached their own shores, they carried the stones to a place where there had once been a great massacre of Britons by invading tribes. And when once they had been set in position, the enchantment by Merlin departed from the stones and they became heavy again, so that no man was able to move even the smallest of them from the place where they were set. Then all the people flocked to see the magic stones, and Aurelius came from London, and a great feast was held on the spot. And when Aurelius had dedicated the stones to the memory of the men who had fallen, he allowed his nobles to crown him king.

All this happened a long time ago, so long ago that nobody quite knows now how much of it is true and how much is just from fairy-tale times. But in the south of England on Salisbury Plain, there is a circle of enormous stones which is called today Stonehenge. And people say they are magic stones which Merlin brought from Ireland, so that Aurelius might build a monument which would last to the world's end.

Now then, all you cynics, don't jump on me, its just a story from a children's book and you can blame Megadread for posting his picture, which got me thinking about legends and stuff.

And to close this post here is an anonymous saying about the Legend of the Grail.
"Go heart, unto the light, go heart do service and honour"

Joined : 15 Jan 2008 Posts : 850 Location : Surrey

Others..

I have no doubt will say this better...

But..

When you remove the Great Sarsen Stones from Wiltshire from Stonehenge...

Does that, that is left, sound like the Great Circle from Africa ???

Tony

Joined : 07 Jan 2008 Posts : 471 Location : Wiltshire

There was nothing philosophical, or archaeologically accurate in any of the above extract (I even mis-typed the anonymous quote at the end (it should have read "Go heart, unto the lamp of light ......") it was just a rather beautiful old children's book. Bought it in an antiquarian book-shop in Oxford two decades ago and at £35 it was then the most expensive book I owned. There are many different strands to the Merlin and King Arthur legends, some of them have their roots in mythology, some are just stories.

I love 'stories' and rarely confuse them with historical facts.

Guest

(I even mis-typed the anonymous quote at the end (it should have read "Go heart, unto the lamp of light ......")
Suppose that was my fault too. ? Razz

Joined : 07 Jan 2008 Posts : 471 Location : Wiltshire

No Megadread, not at all! I thought your round-table picture was great by the way. King Arthur Pendragon is someone I've seen around a lot. I'm not quite sure what to make of him - I don't know what his real name is, something like Kevin I think.

Subject: Re: Stonehenge protest camp Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:27 am

"- I don't know what his real name is, something like Kevin I think."

Timothy John Rothwell aka John The Hat

Guest

I met him once, i found he is very good on the subject of 'himself'.

Joined : 07 Jan 2008 Posts : 471 Location : Wiltshire

Joined : 15 Jan 2008 Posts : 850 Location : Surrey

Just a few words from from Arthur

The Ancient Druids were at one, Judges, Kingmakers, Scientists, Magicians and Priests and their modern counterparts may be viewed likewise. The word itself (Druid) comes through both Brythonic tongues (Cornish and Welsh) meaning either knowledge of the Oak or Wizard, or Wise man.

He wont be getting my vote.. But there again. No voting required..

Tony

Subject: Re: Stonehenge protest camp Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:12 pm

Joined : 15 Jan 2008 Posts : 850 Location : Surrey

It's interesting that you can't see the forum unless you join..

Very open and transparent.

Tony

Joined : 07 Jan 2008 Posts : 471 Location : Wiltshire

Subject: Re: Stonehenge protest camp Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:41 pm

The Welsh Druids used to hold ceremony at Stonehenge but since the 60's it has become over run by the new agers.
The Welsh don't have any truck with the Wiltshire crews now.
PeteG