SO 49967 05128

1. Harold's Stones

2. Harold's Stones

3. Harold's Stones

4. Harold's Stones

5. Harold's Stones

6. Harold's Stones

7. Harold's Stones

8. Pudding Stone

9. Christian Cross?

10. Cup Marks

11. Enclosure Ditch

12. Sundial

As part of my university studies a field trip to Trellech was included on the course and this was lead by Dr. Ray Howell who is the leading archaeological authority on Trellech. During the visit we were taken to a Bronze Age feature known as the 'Harold's Stones' which although I had been there before was very enlightening. The stones are located about three quarters of a mile from Trellech's 'Virtuous Well' in amazingly enough the village or Trellech. Harold's Stones consist of three huge menhirs set in a 12m north-east to south-west alignment. (see ill. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 here). They were fashioned from a local quartz conglomerate quaintly and aptly known as 'pudding stone', due what I can only describe as looking like an uncooked Christmas pudding mixture (see ill. 8 here). The stones measure 2.7m, 3.15m and 4.2m high and are one of a few such sites in South East Wales. The southern-most stone is the largest of the menhirs and has what Ray Howell considered was a possible Christian cross carved on it (see ill. 9 here) . As seen on many of Dartmoor's pagan stones this possibly indicates an effort to de-paganise the stone and sanctify it in order to banish any pagan gods lurking in the area. The central stone has two 'cup marks' on the southern side of it (see ill 10 here). A few years ago, the small paddock in which the stones stand was subjected to a Geophysical Survey by Ray's team in order to establish if there were signs of any other stone sockets which would point to a longer row. The survey showed no such features but it did reveal the enclosing ditch which today can be detected by a curving arc of growing stinging nettles (see ill. 11 here). It was evident that the modern road which passes but yards from the stones has cut through the prehistoric enclosure.

In the local church is a remarkable sundial (dated to 1689) which has an engraving on one of its sides of the three stones (see ill. 12 here). The stones are arranged in size and on each one is a number these are said to be the heights of the stones and are; 8, 10, and 14 respectively. Above the stones is written: ''Maior Saxis'  and below them; 'hic fuit victor Harald' which translates as 'Greater in its stones - Here Harold was Victorious.

The original purpose of the stones, as with any such prehistoric feature is unknown but judging by their size and the effort needed to erect them it must have been pretty important. Some have suggested a ritual use whilst others claim an 'astronomical' connection with the possibility of a winter solstice alignment with the Skirrid or 'Holy Mountain of Gwent'. Other theories as to the origins of the 'three menhirs' range from Druidical ritual stones (possibly connected with the 'Druid's Altar' which sits in the nearby churchyard) to being a line of marker stones on an ancient line of communication latterly known as 'ley lines'

There is some debate as to whether or not the stones are the reason for the place-name Trellech. The usual explanation is that Tre is the Welsh word meaning 'home, hamlet or town' and Llech denoting stone thus giving Trellech, the 'town of stones'. However, the other train of thought is centred on the earliest spelling of the settlement which was Trylec when the two elements could  suggest a mutation of Tri to Try meaning 'three' and then the stone Llech or lec giving 'Threestones' which considering there are exactly three stones would seem plausible. Also there is a reference in the Folk Society magazine of 1853 where it was stated that, "If you ask your way to the three stones you will be answered, “The way to Harold's Stones? Yes, Miss,” and then directed..." which would suggest that the stones have at some time been known as, "the three stones" or Trylec.

So how does a Bronze Age ritual feature bear the name of a Saxon king - Harold. One legend states how when passing one day, King Harold decided to erect the stones in commemoration of one of his victories. The inscription on the sundial noted above is clearly a reference to this tradition. Clearly the stones predate Harold and so this is just fanciful thinking. But as Ray Howell pointed out it was not implausible that King Harold did pass the stones. Especially as he had a nearby hunting lodge some ten miles away at Portskewett. In which case there could have been a connection as some chance remark from him could have lead to the renaming of the stones in his honour or his victory.

Three other legends attached to the stones all concern Jack O' Kent who was a giant that lived on the Herefordshire/Monmouthshire borders. The first version tells how one day he was playing quoits on top of the Skirrid which resulted in him heaving four huge stones, three landed at Trellech and the fourth, known as the Pecket Stone landed near Lydart and still marks the parish boundary of Trellech.

Alternately, Jack O' Kent was stood on nearby hill called Beacon Hill when the Devil happened by.  Apparently Jack had promised his soul in return for the ability to do whatever he put his mind to and now it was pay-back time. The two got into a fierce argument as to who could throw a large stone the furthest. So Jack went first, he picked up a massive slab and tossed it off the hill where it landed in Trellech. The Devil then heaved an even larger stone which landed a bit further than Jack's. Not to be outdone the giant grabbed a gigantic rock and slung it through the air, this one landed just a bit further than the Devil's. Having seen this the Devil knew he was beat and stormed off with the grizzles leaving a row of three large erect stones standing in Trellech.

Or if you prefer, one day the Devil and Jack o' Kent were up on the mountain known as the 'Sugar Loaf' and in an effort to impress Jack to a mighty leap of the top and landed four miles away on another hill (sorry we call mountains hills on Dartmoor) called the Skirrid. But this did not impress 'Old Nick' in the slightest and he just jeered and sneered. On hearing this, Jack in a fit of rage picked up three large stones and hurled them the thirteen miles to Trellech where they still stand to this day.

If ever you find yourself near Trellech put an hour aside and explore this village that literally has a surprise around every corner. You can start at Harold's Stones and walk from the Bronze Age across the road to the Norman motte. Then wander beside the church along what would have been a medieval road and then visit the virtuous well. Should you even feel inclined to see some archaeology in action pop up the the excavations that are try to find the 'lost city of Trellech'. The church is where you can find the Druid's Altar and the sundial which is now kept for safety inside the church.