Friday 27 April 2012

Wonderful or weird?




From the top of the Robin Hood's Stride, it is possible to see this stone circle. There are around 20 such circles in Derbyshire and the Peak District and it is believed that they were built sometime during the early Bronze age, which would make them around 5,000 years old. 

This particular circle is the Nine Stones Close Circle.  As it's name suggests, it was once a ring of nine stones, forming a circle with a diameter of 45 feet. These are the tallest standing stones in Derbyshire; up to 2.2 metres high.

No one knows exactly why these circles were erected, but it's likely that they had some religious significance, probably connected with the cycle of the seasons and the relative positions of sun and moon at particular times of the year.

Of course, such places grow legends. This circle is also known as the Grey Ladies; the belief being that, at midnight, the stones turn into ladies and dance on the moor.

Another legend tells of a 19th century farm worker who was walking near the stones when he found a clay pipe. As soon as he lit it, his head was filled with the most beautiful aroma. He gradually became aware that the ground around the stones was transparent and he could see down to another world, filled with brightly clothed little people; possibly faeries.

Wonderful or weird? What do you think?

To see what other people have chosen for W, wander over to Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday.





17 comments:

  1. The legends these places gather are wonderful; you can see why they intrigue people.

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  2. The Grey Ladies legend is funny! I like it :)

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  3. What is weird is a picture of bits of upright rock without one or other of your boys standing on top of one of them...

    Interesting things, stone circles, I simply like them for what they are.

    One of my bucket-list items is to see the stone circle at Avebury

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  4. Nothing whatsoever like that over here. I like the story of the fellow with the pipe. I couldn't help but wonder what was in it!

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  5. What a great W post! I have always been fascinated by these stone formations and I think both legends are wonderful. Have a great weekend, Nan

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  6. I love the mystery of ancient stone sites. Next to knowing the real reason for them being there is a good supernatural tale! ~ Maureen

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  7. Definitely wonderful Helen. It is these stories that make our country such an interesting one.

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  8. It's really a mistery how these stones came there and why they are put into a circle. I want to go this year to Stonehenge, if te weather is not too bad in end July, like last year !

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  9. Isn't legends, myths, or even bits of history all a bit weird and wonderful? I think so and this is absolutely both! Thanks for the link up to such a wonderous post. =D

    Hopping from Miss Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday classroom. ~Cathy
    What/Where in the World?

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  10. both weird and wonderful. fascinating. The mysteriousness draws us in.

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  11. Wonderful and magical, and artistic expression.

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  12. Wonderfully weird. Fantastic post!

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  13. Hello.
    You have to love the folklore stories and all the intrigue surrounding these stones. Thanks for sharing.

    Woman

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  14. I would love to see some of these circles in person. Definitely on my list of places to go. I always wondered where the faeries lived...

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  15. I think it's wonderful! It's on my bucket list to see some of these circles up close nad personal someday!

    I loved this magical little link to the letter W.

    You have me dreaming.

    Thanks for sharing this.

    A+

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  16. I think "Herding Cats" hit it on the head on the comment above - wonderfully weird, and very interesting!

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