Longstone of Minchinhampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Longstone of Minchinhampton |
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| Location | Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England |
| Architectural style(s) | British pre-Roman Architecture |
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The Longstone of Minchinhampton is a really old and interesting standing stone found in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England. You can easily spot this tall stone in a field near the village. It stands about 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) high and is made of a type of rock called limestone. What makes it special are the natural holes that go right through it! Long ago, people believed that if you passed a baby through one of these holes, it could help cure them of sicknesses like measles or whooping cough.
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What is the Longstone?
The Longstone is a huge piece of rock called oolitic limestone. It stands upright in a field known as Longstone Field, about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) east of Minchinhampton village. This ancient stone is about 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) tall and 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide. It has natural holes that go through its 15-inch (38-centimeter) thickness.
Just 12 yards (11 meters) southwest of the Longstone, there's another fallen stone. This stone has been built into a dry stone wall. Some people think it might have once stood next to the Longstone, forming a pair. The area around the Longstone has many ancient burial mounds, called barrows. People have also found old ornaments, flint tools, and arrowheads near the Longstone. This shows that people lived and used this area a very long time ago.
Myths and Legends of the Longstone
The Longstone has many interesting stories and myths connected to it. One tale says that people tried to pull the stone out of the ground using strong oxen. But "something" stopped it from moving, so the stone stayed right where it was.
Healing Powers of the Stone
For a long time, people believed the Longstone had special healing powers. They thought it could cure babies of illnesses like measles and whooping cough. To do this, they would carefully pass the child through one of the natural holes in the stone. This tradition shows how important the stone was to the local community.
The Midnight Run
At the start of the 20th century, children in the area had a fun myth about the Longstone. They believed that the stone would magically run around the field exactly at midnight! Imagine a giant stone running around in the dark – it's a spooky and exciting thought!
Battlefield Stories
Another popular story suggests that the Longstone is the burial place of a leader from Denmark. This leader supposedly died after a big battle at a nearby place called Woeful Danes' Bottom. Other tales say the stone was already there during the battle. Soldiers might have even shot arrows through its holes. The nearby mounds are thought to be the graves of the soldiers who fought in that battle. These stories make the Longstone a mysterious and historical landmark.
