28th June 2008

The Rollright Stones are situated in Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. They consist of three megalithic constructions; The King’s Men, The Whispering Knights and The King Stone.

The King Stone is thought to date back to the Bronze Age but like most ancient stone structures its purpose is not known as with the King’s Men, a circle of 77 stones dating from around 2500BC. The Whispering Knights are said to be a 5000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber. The five upright stones lean in to each other and are said to be plotting against their King although some think they are at prayer.

The legend of the stones given by the prophet Mother Shipton tells that a King with the ambition to take over England was stopped by a witch at the site of the now Kings Stone. After her challenges were cast aside by the King she declared, "As Long Compton thou canst not see King of England thou shalt not be. Rise up stick and stand still stone For King of England thou shalt be none; Thou and thy men hoar stones shall be And I myself an eldern tree."

And so the King and his men were turned to stone. According to the tale, the spell will one day be broken but until then the King and his men are said to come to life at the witching hour and dance and drink. Anyone said to witness this will go mad or die.

Moving or damaging the stones is said to be a very serious mistake to make, with accounts of people being haunted and even dying from moving or taking parts of the stones.

Each of the three sites is full of mystical tales from faeries that are supposed to live in caves under them and it’s association with witches from the nearby town of Long Compton. It is even said that the stones can help with fertility and apparently it is not possible to count the number of stones in the Kings Men stone circle. If you are so fortunate as to count the same number three times your hearts desire will be fulfilled.

The megaliths are also reported to be on Ley Lines causing some strong Dowsing results as can be seen in one of the team reports. Aliens are also linked with this site with strange white lights being witnessed hovering over the King’s Men before speeding off in to the sky.