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 Henry Chu / Los Angeles Times
London Stone shrouded in mystery and myths |
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The "striking the stone with a sword" part sounds like the legend of King Arthur, "the sword in the stone."
Posted on 09/03/2010 10:11:28 PM PDT by thecodont
Reporting from London — It isn't much to look at: a gray lump of rock behind an ugly metal grill, attached to an even uglier building. You have to crouch down to see it, and its admittedly modest (or maybe nonexistent) charm can seem trifling compared with the glories of St. Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey.
Unloved and neglected, lost in the shadows of gleaming bank towers and the bustle of a city hard at work, the London Stone gets short shrift from the tourist hordes and even Londoners themselves. But it's one of the city's most ancient and storied relics. Modern legend even says London's existence depends on it.
This chunk of limestone has sat in or around the same spot on present-day Cannon Street, in London's financial district, for at least one millennium, possibly two, throwing up mysteries and inspiring myths as to its origins and purpose.
Was it a mile marker? Did it represent the center of London? Was it a place of sacrifice, a symbol of authority, a source of mystical power, a guardian spirit?
No one knows for sure. But Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and poet William Blake all wrote about the stone. One 15th century rebel declared himself ruler of London by striking it with his sword.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
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Henry Chu / Los Angeles Times
London Stone shrouded in mystery and myths |
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The "striking the stone with a sword" part sounds like the legend of King Arthur, "the sword in the stone."
Sounds like a lot of blarney to me.
ping
Nice rock pic bump! Nite ... ;-)
Regards,
It’s in better shape than Keith Richards!
The Mayor of London used to have his chair in London’s Wool House placed above a stone that represented a wool sack, as it represented the source of London’s wealth and status among the nations of Europe. That was way back around 1100 a.d.
The ancient wood buildings of the 12th century are all gone now. But I wonder if this is the same stone?
Not as old though....
Bigfoot’s molar?
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Thanks Captain Beyond. |
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Yeah, but can the stone rock?
Keith Richards is actually one 'heck' of a guitar player. He ain't no Clapton but Keith is 'up there' (no pun).
No, but it can roll, hence, Rolling Stones ;-)
Sometimes a rock is just a rock. ;)
Someone should get a geologist out there to study it and find out where its from.
Interesting!
"I have a bad feeling about this..."
I was going to ping you, but FR was acting weird.
Doesn’t the rock sort of look like a big wheel of cheese?
There is a far more intresting stone in England. It goes by several names, Stone of Destiny, Lia Fail Stone, Coronation Stone. Jacob’s Pillar.
It has a long long history and resides underneath the coronation throne in Westminster Abby and all English Monarch’s are enthroned sitting over it, well except for current resident Queen, the rock was stolen by Scottish guys who wanted it back in Scotland.
Anyways google it or whatever search engine you use and read about it...fascinating stuff anyhows...
England rocks!
Freegards,
Lex
When I was pinged here, I thought it was the old Roman milestone. Not sure now, it’s been a while (37 years?) since I read about that one.
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