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Photo Pages: White Horse Stone - Chambered Tomb in England in Kent
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Submitted by bec-zog on Sunday, 28 December 2008 Page Views: 15109
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 Site Name: White Horse Stone Country: England County: Kent Type: Chambered Tomb
Map Ref: TQ753603 Landranger Map Number: 178
Latitude: 51.314805N Longitude: 0.514009E
Condition:| 5 | Perfect | | 4 | Almost Perfect | | 3 | Reasonable but with some damage | | 2 | Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site | | 1 | Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks | | 0 | No data. | | -1 | Completely destroyed |
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Ambience:| 5 | Superb | | 4 | Good | | 3 | Ordinary | | 2 | Not Good | | 1 | Awful | | 0 | No data. |
3
Access:| 5 | Can be driven to, probably with disabled access | | 4 | Short walk on a footpath | | 3 | Requiring a bit more of a walk | | 2 | A long walk | | 1 | In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find | | 0 | No data. |
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Accuracy:| 5 | co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates | | 4 | co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map | | 3 | co-ordinates scaled from a bad map | | 2 | co-ordinates of the nearest village | | 1 | co-ordinates of the nearest town | | 0 | no data |
no data
Internal Links:    
External Links:            White Horse Stone submitted by bec-zog
Remains of Chambered Tomb in Kent. This is a large Sarsen 2.4m x 1.5m, resembling a "horse", with other scattered sarsen stones tomb remnants.
It is associated with the "Countless stones", "Kits Coty" & Smythe' s Megalith; a chambered tomb 2.1 m long , discovered in 1823 with 3 wall stones, human & pottery remains. Smythe's megalith was located at the end of the same field as the "White Horse". It has since been destroyed Ref R. Jessup South-East England (1970)101
The following was extracted from the now defunct web site "Kent in Chaos"
This large standing stone is the on the Pilgrim's Way to the east of the A229. Park at the garage on the Maidstone-bound carriage way, and follow the Chunnel fence 200 yards down the hill. Take the public footpath through the Chunnel Works as it bends round to the left and then back round to the right and up the hill. The stone is on the left hand side in the trees.
The stone itself is about 2.9m high, 1.6m wide, and about 60cm deep. Locals thought its shape resembled that of a horse - hence the name. Close by to the west were nine much smaller stones but they have been ripped up by the Chunnel works and fragments of them can be seen through the fence.
The site has recently been excavated as part of the Channel Tunnel Link works(?!) and trial trenching evaluations have revealed evidence of late Bronze Age/early Iron Age (600BC) occupation, consisting of circular post-built structures, grain storage pits, and an iron working area.There are also indications of Neolithic activity and a prehistoric buried soil. Evidence of a long-house and a circular building dating back to the Neolithic period was found and is so far the only structure of its type identified in Kent. Don't expect to see any of this though, as the site has been trashed.
The public footpath to the White Horse Stone has been blocked off by the Chunnel Link, and if you want to see the stone expect a trek through brambles and cement. It appears to have been made as difficult as possible to access the stone as the way-markers have been removed and you have to walk through the works wheelwash area. Be prepared to get dirty!
Lower White Horse Stone
Another large upright stone once stood about 300m. West of the Upper White Horse Stone, but this was destroyed in 1823. The site is probably now under the A229 dual-carriageway and its precise significance remains uncertain. It cannot be claimed with certainty to be a megalithic tomb.
Aylesford Area
In 1980, a local farmer broke his plough on two large buried stones in a field not far from the Eastern group of chambered long-barrows.
Immediate excavation by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit revealed four medium sized stones buried in pits dug into the underlying chalk. It is possible that these had once formed part of the structure of a long-barrow. Further work after the crops had been lifted to see if other stones exist in the same area was successful.
This is one of the Medway Megaliths.
Note: New investment for the Medway Megaliths, "The Valley of Visions", and a report on the work of the Guardians, see latest comment.
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 White Horse Stone submitted by enkidu41
An 8' x 5' sarsen stone which may once have formed part of a tomb chamber. It is so named because of a highly fanciful resemblance to the head of a horse. Whoever thought so had had too many pints of Shepherd Neame if you ask me! TQ 753 603
 White Horse Stone submitted by bec-zog
Upper White Horse Stone (Neolithic tomb remnants); Aylesford ,Kent TQ753,.603
Large Sarsen 2.4m x 1.5m , resembling a "horse", with other scattered sarsen stones tomb remnants .
This site is associated with the"Countless stones", "Kits Coty" &
Smythe' s Megalith; a chambered tomb 2.1 m long , discovered in 1823 with 3 wall stones, human & pottery
Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.
Nearby Images from Geograph Britain and Ireland:These are probably not of the site on this page. Please Submit an Image or go out and take one for us!Nearby sites
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223m W 254° Lower White Horse Stone Standing Stone (Menhir) (TQ751602)
223m NE 41° Smythe's Megalith Chambered Tomb (TQ754605)
423m SW 240° Aylesford Megalith Long Barrow (TQ750600)
903m W 275° Little Kit's Coty* Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (TQ744604)
941m NW 293° Kit's Coty.* Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (TQ745608)
1.2km W 268° Tottington Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (TQ741602)
1.4km W 271° Aylesford Sarsons Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (TQ739603)
1.4km W 276° Coffin Stone* Chambered Tomb (TQ739605)
1.5km W 281° Pilgrims Way 4 Ancient Trackway (TQ739607)
1.7km NW 299° Pilgrim Spring* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (TQ73986140)
1.8km W 267° White Horse Stone Settlement Ancient Village or Settlement (TQ73506010)
2.1km NW 311° Blue Bell Hill Sarsons Burial Chamber (Dolmen) (TQ740620)
2.2km NE 35° Walderslade Wood Sarsons Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (TQ761623)
3.2km NE 47° Lordswood Barrow Round Barrow(s) (TQ770630)
3.2km E 92° Grange Farm Dene Hole Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry (TQ785602)
3.3km E 109° Pilgrims Way 5 Ancient Trackway (TQ783588)
4.4km S 173° Maidstone Museum & Art Gallery Museum (TQ758559)
4.6km W 284° Battle of the Medway Stone Modern Stone Circle / Monolith (TQ710619)
5.3km NW 311° Pilgrims Way 3 Ancient Trackway (TQ720645)
5.5km NW 322° Shoulder of Mutton Wood Bowl Barrow Round Barrow(s) (TQ727652)
5.9km NE 51° Grove Wood Deneholes Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry (TQ788651)
7.2km NW 298° Halling Barrow Round Barrow(s) (TQ696648)
7.3km NW 302° Pilgrims Way 1 Ancient Trackway (TQ699653)
7.6km E 76° Queendown Warren Dene Holes Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry (TQ823633)
7.7km NW 320° Pilgrims Way 2 Ancient Trackway (TQ715670)
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Tuesday, 27 July 2004 | Hi,
I understand that the White Horse Stone in Kent UK is important to you and I am writing to tell you of a threat to it and the immediate environment.
Orange wants to install a 15 metre mast within feet of the Stone and adjacent to the Pilgrim's Way. They say it is temporary but once installed
I don't think it will ever be removed.
The mast if given planning permission will be in the hedgerow next to the Cursing field where the Stone stands too.
It is an area of natural Beauty and the White Horse Stone is an Ancient Monument.
If you can please write to:
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
Attn: Steve Humphrey
Director of Planning and Engineering Services
Gibson Building
Gibson Drive
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4LZ
Please quote the Application No: TM/04/02250/FL
If a lot of letters are received it will go to a committee to be considered instead of being nodded through by an officer from planning. | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by Andy B on Tuesday, 27 July 2004
(User Info | Send a Message) | Thanks to member Hengest for bringing this to our attention.
Andy | [ Reply to This ]
Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Saturday, 28 March 2009 | | cedric the red, b.m of whch im a member said ie expert never heard of whitehorsestone, take with causion, its on an os map but in gothic writeing, im currentley reading web sites on it, as its not in any book iv seen so far, one web site says found in 1823. one oninist told me he smashed head of a wiccan on it recientley. bye for now. oh not seen any thing about its history so far. |
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by Andy B on Wednesday, 28 July 2004
(User Info | Send a Message) | Many thanks for posting the info for me. I contacted the lady who made us aware of this and asked for further details and she replied:
The information comes from a planning application lodged on 29th June 2004.
I have telephoned to Tonbridge and Malling Council and am told that comments
and objections must be received by 2nd August. (That is this coming Monday).
The person dealing with this is Jill Thompson her phone number is 01732
876234. her email is jill.hamilton@tmbc.gov.uk
I also spoke to the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling yesterday who has
promised to support us.
I have a Jpeg of the application if anyone would like to see it (as have I - Andy).
Regards
Hengest Thorsson OR
Internet Information Officer
http://www.odinic-rite.org
FFF | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Wednesday, 28 July 2004 | | this is nothing more than corparate vandalism of a sacred place. Im sure they will never put a mast in a church or mosque. still, putting a mast next to the stone, or Hel, a road thru Stonehenge, who cares? | [ Reply to This ]
Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by JimChampion (no.spam@all.thanks) on Friday, 26 May 2006
(User Info | Send a Message) | For your information: It is fairly routine practice to put microwave antenna in churches - often the towers are the only high points for miles around (and it provides extra income for the C of E). Source found in a few seconds using a search engine - link
Jim |
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Saturday, 14 August 2004 | I have today received a copy of the report for the committee which will
discuss the planning application by Orange to build a telephone mast at the
White Horse Stone.
This can be viewed at http://www.odinic-rite.org/whs%20campaign1.htm
Although this report recommends the rejection of the application it must
still go before a planning committee who will have the final say. The
committee will be meeting on 19th August and all those who registered their
opposition will be invited to speak before the committee.
I would like to thank all those who took the time to write and hope that we
may achive something. Asrad CG spoke to a council officer who said they had
never received such a wide response to a planning application.
I will keep you informed of further developements.
Regards
Hengest Thorsson OR
Internet Information Officer
http://www.odinic-rite.org
FFF | [ Reply to This ]
Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Monday, 06 September 2004 | Hi,
I was one of those who responded to the application and I'm over the moon that together we managed to get a recommended rejection of the plan. I was unable to attend the meeting on 19th as I'm living in Cheshire (although Kentish by birth).
Does anyone know the result of this meeting? I presumed the application had been refused in full but maybe I'm getting confused.
Cheers
Steve White
http://www.anglo-saxons.org.uk |
[ Reply to This ]
Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Monday, 06 September 2004 | Oops. Apologies for not reading the full thread - that'll teach me to be more careful in future.
Well done to all involved, this is a major victory for our heritage.
All the best
Steve White
http://www.anglo-saxons.org.uk |
[ Reply to This ]
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White Horse Stone Telephone Mast Rejected. (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Sunday, 29 August 2004 | On 19th August, Members of the Tonbridge and Malling Bourough Council rejected an application by telephone company Orange to install a 15 metre tower within yards of the White Horse Stone in Kent, England.
The application had almost gone unnoticed until a local resident found out and remembered that the Stone was used by Odinists/Wodenists for rituals and celebrations. He asked his friend to contact these groups on the internet and she contacted The Odinic Rite who sent word around the world asking people to contact the council with their objections. Over 100 people heeded this call.
The council meeting heard submissions from Hengest Thorsson of the Odinic Rite, Lee of Woden’s Folk and from the local resident who had contacted the OR.
The Councillors were then able to give their comments and all agreed that this mast would be completely unsuitable in such an area. They also condemned Orange for their lack of concern for the special status of the site. Some councillors spoke out in support of the religious groups present and showed a genuine interest in the “history lesson” they were given. After unanimously voting to reject the application, an addition was added to the effect that “minority” religious groups with links to a monument should be consulted about development plans which involve that monument.
The Odinic Rite would like to thank all who took the time to object to this application and particularly the members of Woden’s Folk who attended the council meeting. | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by wifedup on Wednesday, 21 September 2005
(User Info | Send a Message) | hi bec-zog
quite by accident i came across the white horse stone again last weekend,whilst taking a group of kids on a pilgrimage to near by rochester Cathedral, it must be twenty years since i had been there (although i live about five miles away) you may be pleased to know that the rail link works are finnished now and that part of the pilgrims way is much as i remmeber it as a kid (however the underpass under the A229 is flooded,promting a divertion via the lower bell) come visit again | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Wednesday, 22 March 2006 | This stone acts as a lithophone. There is a small hole on each side at the top, going right through. When tapped with sticks, these holes can emit a sound just like that of galloping horse hooves. A synaesthetic person may 'see' this sound as white. Maybe that is why it is called The White Horse Stone. (It is impossible to see any resemblance to a horse in its shape.)
Eileen | [ Reply to This ]
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Orange have another try for a Mobile Phone Mast at the White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by Andy B on Tuesday, 23 May 2006
(User Info | Send a Message) | Once again the ancient White Horse Stone in the county of Kent, England and the area around it has come under attack from the mobile phone company Orange! Only two years ago Orange proposed to put a mobile phone mast and cabin next to the White Horse Stone, that application was rejected by Tonbridge and Malling council thanks to the support of many hundreds of caring people.
Now Orange has applied for planning permission to erect an 8m high double mobile phone mast less than 100m away from the White Horse Stone. (This time they have applied to Maidstone council as the proposed site is just on the other side of the boundary)
The White Horse Stone is an ancient monument of significant historical, archaeological and cultural importance. A sacred site, seen by many as the birth place of the English nation.
Unbelievably Orange’s proposed site is just 5m from the edge of Boxley Warren Nature reserve, an AONB and SSSI area. It is also just 5m from the North Downs Way, a long distance national trail.
We need your support to fight this application and to protect this ancient monument, our countryside and the environment from this insidious attempt to destroy our heritage and what remains of our green and pleasant land.
Please give your support to our campaign to save the White Horse Stone and the environment around it from this deliberate attempt to destroy our Heritage, we say deliberate because Orange know very well the history of this area and how people feel about it, yet they have once again targeted this sacred site.
Orange’s arrogance is clearly demonstrated as two months ago they had over 150 metres of underground duct work and cable installed up to the proposed site before they had even applied for planning permission. Are they hoping this will be just a rubber stamp job! We hope the Local Planning authority will treat this arrogance with the contempt that is deserves and reject this application.
Below we have given some suggested points which you could raise in your objection letters to the council. Please do not copy them word for word, individual letters have a much greater impact than mass produced objections. Please ensure your mention that this application will have a harmful effect on the environment, especially as this area has been designated as both AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).
• The White Horse Stone is a listed ancient monument of both historical and cultural importance.
• The White Horse Stone is held in great reverence as a site of significant spiritual importance by Odinist’s and other Pagan traditions. The siting of a mobile phone mast in such close proximity would have a very negative affect on this holy site.
• Archaeological evidence has clearly proved that this whole area is a site of high status and of significant historical importance to the county of Kent and England.
• The siting of mobile phone equipment just 5m from the Boxley Warren Nature reserve, an AONB and SSSI area would have a detrimental effect on this area by visually scarring the approach to the Nature reserve, an AONB and SSSI site.
• Siting of mobile phone equipment within close proximity of an AONB, SSSI, North Downs Way and Nature reserve would present an impression that these designations have no importance or integrity and can be ignored.
• If this application is approved it will open the door to other mobile phone network operators to also develop this area.
• The siting of mobile phone equipment on this site will have a detrimental effect on the enjoyment of the many thousands of visitors that come to this area for leisure, walking, cycling, horse riding etc.
• The siting of 3G mobile equipment will have a detrimental effect on the wildlife in this area. There is concern that 3G’s more powerful signal strength could cause long term healt
Read the rest of this post... | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Thursday, 25 May 2006 | "The public footpath to the White Horse Stone has been blocked off by the Chunnel Link, and if you want to see the stone expect a trek through brambles and cement. It appears to have been made as difficult as possible to access the stone as the way-markers have been removed and you have to walk through the works wheelwash area. Be prepared to get dirty! "
This is now defunct, there is a bridge over the railway linking to a footpath which takes you straight to the stone. | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by Nick- on Thursday, 25 May 2006
(User Info | Send a Message) | While this obssesion with mobile phones goes on , just be prepared for more and more of these masts.....
And remember if you're walking near one, you are being slowly cooked, by the microwaves.........
| [ Reply to This ]
Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by JimChampion (no.spam@all.thanks) on Friday, 26 May 2006
(User Info | Send a Message) | | If microwaves of this frequency are harmful to your body, you'll do much worse by holding a handset to your head than you ever could do by walking past a mast. The microwaves from the mast aren't going to harm the ancient site. The material structure of the mast just looks ugly - and thats a valid objection on its own (never mind the speculation about possible adverse health effects - see this pdf link for some data on exactly how slow being "slowly cooked" really is). |
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by Andy B (andy@megalithic.co.uk) on Friday, 26 May 2006
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Yeah, that comment should come out really. If people are worried about RF emissions and want to site masts well away from housing etc then that is a good reason to site it at the White Horse stone. Oops - own goal there :-) |
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by Blackdragon on Saturday, 03 June 2006
(User Info | Send a Message) | The stone is supposed to be the burial marker for Horsa, a pioneering Saxon leader who died in a battle nearby. He and his brother Hengist (=stallion) were supposed to have been brought over by Celtic King Vortigen (=King of Kings) to kick out the Picts, but they decided they would like to stay, and rebelled against their employer. The pair were the first to bring Saxon Paganism to England, as opposed to the Celtic forms already existing. This is why the stone is important to Heathens.
THE E MAIL ADDRESS GIVEN TO COMPLAIN TO HAS JUST BOUNCED MY MESSAGE BACK AS UNDELIVERABLE - PLEASE CHECK. | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by Nick- on Monday, 05 June 2006
(User Info | Send a Message) | The microwaves from a mast are unlikely to harm a site.... It's just the delightful visual impact.......
With regards to the effects on human beings and other animals who the hell knows....
One thing is sure there will be a continued cover-up, courtesy of Blair and his stooges(and those before him and after no doubt),
Capitalism must be allowed to flourish .........; The UK in (my opinion) has not managed to set aside this worst of the anglo-saxon capatalist exesses. Which is why I don't want to go back to the UK.
BUT The same thing is going on in France, the last house I owned they bunged some microwave transmission masts, up on the water tower, about 500 metres away.And then all the (ORANGE) small talk commenced about the 'benefits'.
One just gives up. | [ Reply to This ]
Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by Andy B (andy@megalithic.co.uk) on Monday, 05 June 2006
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Yeah, that comment should come out really. If people are worried about RF emissions and want to site masts well away from housing etc then that is a good reason to site it at the White Horse stone. Oops - own goal there :-) |
[ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Wednesday, 02 August 2006 | Hurrah, I just received a letter from Maidstone Borough Council that the Orange phone mast proposal has been refused.
the reason given:
"The proposed mast would be sited in a particular location that would intrude upon views across the Kent Down Area of outstanding natural beauty and the North Downs Special Landscape area. In this respect this proposal would be harmful to the natural beauty and scenic quality of the landscape. Furthermore it would also be clearly visible from the North Downs Way and would affect the wider setting of the ancient monument for the White Horse Stone. the proposal would therefore be contrary to policies ENV33, ENV34 and ENV48 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local plan 2000 and policies EN1, EN4 and QL9 of the Kent Medway Structure Plan 2006."
So we can breath easy until next time.
Regards,
Sigrid | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by coldrum on Wednesday, 23 July 2008
(User Info | Send a Message) | The following is from the Pastscape site:
"A large upright irregular sarsen measuring circa 3 metres by 1.6 metres, and 0.7 metres thick. It has been suggested to represent the remains of a Neolithic burial chamber, although no evidence other than its upright position and the relative proximity of other Neolithic monuments has ever been offered in support. There appears to be little pre-20th century reference to the site. The name reflects the fact that the stone appears to have inherited the legendary associations of its now-destroyed near neighbour, the original "White Horse Stone" (TQ 76 SE 12)".
http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=416372 | [ Reply to This ]
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The White Horse Stone and the Valley of Visions (Score: 1)
by Andy B on Sunday, 28 December 2008
(User Info | Send a Message) | The White Horse Stone and the Valley of Visions.
Hengest writes: We [the Guardians of the White Horse Stone] had heard that there was a project called the Valley of Visions but little information could be found about this, however in September we were contacted by Richard Haynes of the Kent Downs AONB Unit. Richard is the Landscape, Heritage and Access officer for the Valley of Visions project and so has a direct interest in the White Horse Stone.
Richard had heard about the work the Guardians had done and our interest in the WHS, Richard said in his e-mail “My project, which is part of the Kent Downs AONB Unit, is working throughout the area known as the Medway Gap. One of the of the sub-projects focuses on the ‘Medway Megaliths’ and as the Odinic Rite has been actively caring for the stone and such like”.
We have always been willing to work with the various organisation and authorities which have an interest in the area of the WHS and for the stone itself, so we were delighted to be approached by Richard and only too pleased to have a meeting to discuss their project and any plans that involve the White Horse Stone.
On 23rd October a fitting date (It is Hengest, the festival of Settlement in the Odinic calendar) I met Richard and a lady from English Heritage at the WHS. It was very clear from the start that the lady from English Heritage was keen to see the removal of the tree that stands at the rear of the WHS and has done for a good many years.
Now whilst we appreciate that the tree is very close to the Stone, it does not appear to have affected the stone in any way at this stage. The lady's concerns though where also for the damage that the tree may cause to any potential archaeology that may or may not exist under the tree. We appreciate that tree roots may cause damage to archaeology, but as there is no evidence at this stage for there being any archaeology at the WHS, it is pure speculation to say that the tree is damaging archaeology.
After much discussion it was agreed that for the time being the tree stays. We have agreed to relocate the small hedge plants that we planted close to the stone. English Heritage have a legal responsibility to look after the Stone as it is a listed monument. We, the Guardians of the WHS also have a responsibility to protect this Ancient monument for future generations. Our heritage is under threat from those that do not understand or appreciate its importance. Whilst we are happy to see more people visit this ancient site, we want people to understand that the WHS is more than just a listed monument.
The WHS is a spiritual site, a resting place, a place of religious importance, a historical site and very important to a great many people across the world. The Guardians have given up hundreds of hours of their time to care for this wonderful site, and the sitting of this ancient monument is part of it. If the area surrounding the Stone was to be “opened up” as suggested at the meeting, then the ambience of this sacred site would be soured.
We discussed the potential for some archaeological investigation to be carried out, hopefully not of an intrusive nature, geophysical or the likes would be an option, thus not disturbing the ashes of those that have been scattered at this sacred site. We are as keen as any to learn about the stone, but we believe that any archaeological investigation should be non intrusive.
At the time of posting this brief report, we have not heard from the Valley of Visions team as to whether they intend to carry out the geophysical investigation or call in a tree surgeon to asses the health of the trees surrounding the Stone, some are obviously dead or dying. When and if we hear anything, we will keep you updated via our website.
We have cared for the WHS as an organisation for over 20 years. We have received enormous support over the years from those that truly care about their heritage. We will continue to car
Read the rest of this post... | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Friday, 02 January 2009 | This stone is of importance to Heathens: it is the alleged burial place of Horsa, one of the two Saxon brothers brought over by the Celt Vortigen as mercenary leaders to kick out the Picts. The other brother was Hengist (=stallion).
Horsa means horse, and it is believed that is why the stone was thus named. He died in battle against Vortigens forces after the Saxon band decided to stay and occupy a part of England. Since the brothers and their warband were Germanic Pagans, they would have been the first to introduce that form of belief into England, hence the reverence accorded them.
Pete Jennings | [ Reply to This ]
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Re: White Horse Stone (Score: 1)
by coldrum on Saturday, 03 January 2009
(User Info | Send a Message) | Alternatively Horsa was supposed to be buried under a cairn at a place called Horsted in the Medway towns.
A flint cairn was said to have been destroyed in the area in the nineteenth century.
The remains of a nineteenth century fort are now in the approximate area.
According to folklore Kits Coty, a neolithic burial monument, was the burial place of Vortigen who was said to have been killed nearby in the battle of Aylesford.
The exact location of the battle of Aylesford is not known and some have questioned the reality of the Hengist and Horsa story and doubt that a battle ever took place.
The white horse, the emblem of Kent is supposed to have been introduced by Hengist and Horsa, it was said to have been their standard and according to folklore they draped it across the White Horse stone when they landed in Kent.
Many megaliths across the country have legends attached to them of famous people being buried underneath them. The Coldrum stones, in Kent also and another neolithic burial monument is supposed to be the burial place of a Black prince who died in a battle near the stones.
Stonehenge itself was considered to be a monument to Brititsh leaders killed by the treachery of Vortigen.
A few other legends I have heard about is of a horse and rider bathed in flames that haunts the area of the White Horse Stone and that the footpath to the stone is haunted by a black phanton dog that supposdly killed a travellor a few hundred years ago.
Blue Bell Hill itself is said to be the haunt of a ghostly hitchhiker, a hag, a gorilla like beast and big cats.
It is not surprising therefore that so much myth and legend is attached to the place. | [ Reply to This ]
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Fifth Century settlement located (Score: 1)
by coldrum on Saturday, 03 January 2009
(User Info | Send a Message) | Not prehistoric but of interest as regards the Hengist and Horsa legend.
Fifth Century settlement located
A Fifth Century Germanic settlement has been discovered on land set out for regeneration in Kent.
A team of 30 archaeologists has been studying debris at the site in Rushenden, on the Isle of Sheppey, to learn how the original settlers lived.
The remains of a large boat-shaped hall have been found as well as evidence of boat-building activity.
Dr Paul Wilkinson, who heads the dig, said the settlement was one of the most important finds of its kind in Kent.
"It's significant because it's a Germanic establishment. The boat shape gives the game away to us," he said.
"The only boat-shaped buildings are from what's now Germany and outside the Roman Empire as such."
Archaeologists from Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company do not expect to find many artefacts at the site but believe they can discover how its inhabitants lived.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7777867.stm | [ Reply to This ]
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