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The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map : Index >>
Stones Forum >> Hangmans Stone
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| Author |
Hangmans Stone |
4clydesdale7
Joined:
27-05-2011
Messages: 45
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|  Posted 01-02-2012 at 18:04
In 1925 the noteworthy archaeologist OGS Crawford stated that he knew of 25 different sites in England bearing the name Hangman's Stone (or Hangmans Stone) - a search of this portal reveals just five sites (although a sixth is referred to in the notes for one)
They are: in Gloucestershire Northleach/Hampnett & Preston nr Cirencester
in Berkshire Leckhampstead & Upper Lambourne
in Essex Saffron Walden
in Sussex Rottingdean
On the pastscape website you can find two more both in Devon Branscombe & Combe Martin
Is anyone aware of the others?
Could anyone assist me or the portal by putting together a site entry (with photos) for the one they know of? I for one would welcome any contribution
[ This message was edited by: 4clydesdale7 on 2012-02-01 18:05 ]
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caradoc68
Joined:
24-06-2010
Messages: 34
from Yeovil
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|  Posted 02-02-2012 at 20:47
There is a Hangmans hill on high Dartmoor, sure there is a stone up there??? Hope this helps.
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pod
Joined:
26-01-2012
Messages: 7
from north yorks
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| Posted 02-02-2012 at 20:49
There is the legend of hangmans stone at Barnburgh SE501036 which lies on the junction of hangmanstone lane and the track from high melton
Legend has it that one of the two limestone gateposts still standing is the offending stone
The story goes that centuries ago, when sheep stealing was a capital offence, a man stole a sheep from a field at night.
He was carrying it over his shoulders and had tied its feet together with a rope.
When he reached the lane now known as Hangman's Stone he stopped for a rest, placing the sheep on top of a stone post whilst he himself sat on the ground He then fell asleep.
The story is that the sheep must have slipped off the stone and the rope, which the man had round his body slipped up round his neck and strangled him, so doing the hangman out of a job. But some think that most hangman stone legends come from the mid to late 18th century when the capital offence for sheep stealing was generally reduced to transportation to the colonies and so the tale has a morbid irony
This legend is repeated in many parts of the country and there is an old folk song which recalls the tale
thanks
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4clydesdale7
Joined:
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Messages: 45
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| Posted 02-02-2012 at 21:00
Thanks to both Caradoc68 and pod - if my investigations reveal anything I shall post it on site
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AngieLake
Joined:
12-03-2004
Messages: 550
from Newton Abbot, Devon
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|  Posted 02-02-2012 at 22:27
The name rang a bell but the only one I found was here:
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=10117
- (we've got a 'Grey Hangman Stone' on Meg P.)
I could swear I remember several being posted, but am I getting confused with another name?
Something Hamish posted, maybe?.. though some time ago now?
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AngieLake
Joined:
12-03-2004
Messages: 550
from Newton Abbot, Devon
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| Posted 02-02-2012 at 22:35
Just changed the search word to Hanging Stone and found four sites:
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=8064
This was Hamish's.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=4404
That one's in Pembs, but is a passage-grave.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=10114
In Leicestershire.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=11183
W.Yorkshire.
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tiompan
Joined:
09-01-2005
Messages: 2658
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| Posted 02-02-2012 at 22:48
If it's extended to hanging Stone then others at
Durham NZ 151 511
Lancs SD 970 383
North yorkshire SE 450 943 .
George
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4clydesdale7
Joined:
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| Posted 03-02-2012 at 18:15
Many thanks to all of you - more food for thought - we have not got half way yet - so keep them coming
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pod
Joined:
26-01-2012
Messages: 7
from north yorks
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| Posted 03-02-2012 at 20:58
You have to be a little careful in the distinction between hanging stone and hangmans stone - hanging stone may refer to the visual look of a place or its ambience, whereas hangman's stone usually is more related to the actual act of hanging (as I have said earlier usually self inflicted and connected with poaching - usually sheep) or legend of such an event
GREY HANGMAN’S STONE, OAKS IN CHARNWOOD. SK 4795 1665 mentioned by Angie Lake is an very early example when
John of Oxley ( a descendant of robin hood?) managed to hang himself in the middle ages - and this is the old folk song
The Legend of the Hangman's Stone
One shaft he drew on his well-tried yew,
And a gallant hart lay dead;
He tied its legs, and he hoisted his prize,
And he toiled over Lubcloud brow.
He reached the tall stone standing out and alone.
Standing there as it standeth now;
With his back to the stone, he rested his load,
And he chuckled with glee to think
That the rest of his way on the downhill lay,
And his wife would have spied the strong drink,
A swineherd was passing o'er great Ives Head,
When he noticed a motionless man;
He shouted in vain, No reply could he gain,
So down to the grey stone he ran.
All was clear: there was Oxley on one side the stone,
On the other the down-hanging deer;
The burden had slipped, and his neck it had nipped;
He was hanged by his prize all was clear.
Thanks
pod
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