Hi James. I’m a Bratton boy. I recall back in 1978 there was a reenactment of the Battle of Ethendune and we as pupils of Bratton primary school had to dress up and take part. That stone has always been known to us as the blood stone. We were convinced as children the red was blood staines. We used to play all over those hills and in the woods. Happy times.
Thank you John-Pleased this brought back good memories for you this has been one of my favourite stones to visit for years-A true part of Bratton & Edington history-Thank you for watching, I am local so you will see several of my videos may be of interest to you ⭐
Thank you so much-A really nice comment that has made this all worthwhile -My pleasure to do this ,a small adventure in history that you have enjoyed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hi James, Very interesting walk today and the whole zone amplifies the mystery, maybe creating more legend than there really is. I was curious about the iron oxide and a quick search indicates that this might be cuased by being buried and adquisition from neighbouring minerals rather than being part of the actual rock. Although it could be something far more grisely!! You do have to be careful meeting cattle out in the wild, I have bad experience of this so am far more wary than I once was. You'll have to take Sam there to see it too!! All the best!!
Hi David-Very true the Stone is a mystery that is locked in by a lack of hard evidence relating to the Battle and Geology -I can only skirt around the possibilities of origin and use-The Bulls in the Summer are a total nightmare that make this area a *No go area*-I intend to walk the area with Sam who may be able to expand the mystery side far more than I am able to-Thank you for watching David you are becoming my top subscriber for thought provking comments ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@jameswalksinhistory3848 Thanks James, I like to reflect on what I have seen and add to it if I can in the comments. It's a way of showing my appreciation of the hard work you put in, I enjoy trying to write them too!! I do the same with my posts on the Instathingy!!
great video, you were suggested to me by TH-cam and I am glad you were, a very relaxing look at something I have never heard of in a moment of history which was so pivotal. I couldn't help but notice the topography of the location of the stone, very amphitheater like
Thank you-We have many areas like this in Wiltshire but this stone is a mystery -Thank you for watching my small adventure in history-Alfred and the Dane's much of which is unwritten history making it doubtful if we will ever know the true facts 👍
Hi James. Another very interesting explore. These places do tend to have a few different legends attached to them. Plausible but not prove able. Either way a thoroughly enjoyable and educating watch. Best wishes. 👍🏻Watto
Thank you Watto-Live near here so on my mind for years the history and the mystery tends to be all mixed at times-A great area to visit , ponder and wonder about what may or not have happened-Thank uou for watching my friend ⭐
Hey James Loved this! I'd say it's probably a marker of some sort, I do wonder what's under all that hearth, maybe that would give an idea of what the stone really is. Wonderful video, my friend, thank you
Thank you Sam-Strangely to one side of it is a Round Barrow that has never been excavated-Some belive the Blood Stone has mystical powers and is haunted-I do not go with that ,this may be worth some research on your side-Anyway thank you for watching my friend I will have to take you there as it is Winter -In the Summer I have learned by my own errors it is a no go area 👍❤️😊
That which is romantic but wrong is often a more preferable explanation for many. Funny to think that iron oxide might be the culprit in this case. The robbing of a sarson from long barrow to form a marker stone, though pedestrian as an explanation, is probably more feasible. There was a battle, though. And recycling is no new thing. Look at what they did to the bones of the dead after Waterloo! Great video. Many thanks.
Thank you for watching my small adventure-As I state I have no facts but neither does anyone else unless a definative amount of evidence is found-Thank you for watching and your great comment 👍
Cheers James, interesting to see that the stone sits in the middle of a natural amphitheatre. I like that not all things have a plausible explanation because then there would be no wonder or mystery. 🧔 👍
So true Bob-Many valleys like this one in our area -This one is the only with a Sarsen and a mystery-Thank you for watching my small adventure in history my friend ⭐
So true Judy-This has been on my mind for years being local I would love to find out if this was ever used for such a spine chilling thing ! Thank you for watching my small adventure in history 👍
Thank you once again James for another interesting video. The amount of history in our area is so fascinating. The walk up there is so beautiful & peaceful. It makes you feel there is so much going on there in a spirit way. Thank you once again James.
Similarly, have you looked at the battle of Aclea (Ockley)? The books state that the site is unknown but there's oral history that contradicts that. Between Anstiebury Camp hill fort and Roman Stane (what better place for a battle) there's a field that is said to run red with the blood of the battle. It's red soll, my dad's ploughed it, but this seems to be long-lasting oral tradition of which the writers of the history books are unaware.
Thank you-You make a really good point that many of these things are lost to time unless evidence is found-Thank you for watching my small adventure in history ⭐
Love this Video James, I've camped on top of Picquet Hill a few times, very windy but such a good view point! I had absolutely no idea about the blood stone until I watched your Channel, another to see on my ever increasing list 😁 Thanks James 👍
Hi James, If as you suggest, the stone was moved from the nearby Long Barrow. That's not a reason to dismiss that it could have been used for executions or something equally sinister. The COLOUR of the stone is it's unique feature. Most sarsen stones are grey aren't they, (thinking Grey Wethers ect.) so for neolithic people, this unusual coloured stone would have been special? Might well have been used for "murder" at some point, but perhaps not the "murders" we are thinking of.
So true I agree with your thoughts-I think that in a roundabout way I was attempting to convey the possible origin of the stone ,the possible use in 878 then how it may have been used in 1575 .Then the present position relating back to the battle ,summarised with the mystery side of it all -Thank you so much for watching and your great comment ⭐
So true-The pianist is Nick who was playing in Stourhead House he gave me permission to use this ,thought it would make a nice change ? Anyway thank you for watching another one of my small adventures in history -I am hoping one day someone will solve it all 👍⭐
Enjoyed the video, could the red colour on the stone also have been a reason for the name? later being attached specifically to the Danish defeat. Without a doubt Alfred deserves his cognomen, not just for the victory over the Danes but for many other reasons. Always a pleasure to join you on your wanders.
Unlikely to be an execution stone as the stone would damage the axe. Here is a long shot, it seems to be in a natural amphitheatre and could it be for an orator to stand on and address the throng? Not likely
Thank you for watching Peter-Anything is possible so what may seem a long shot now may not be if evidence is found-A great thought provoking comment-Thank you 👍
Hi James. I’m a Bratton boy. I recall back in 1978 there was a reenactment of the Battle of Ethendune and we as pupils of Bratton primary school had to dress up and take part. That stone has always been known to us as the blood stone. We were convinced as children the red was blood staines. We used to play all over those hills and in the woods. Happy times.
Thank you John-Pleased this brought back good memories for you this has been one of my favourite stones to visit for years-A true part of Bratton & Edington history-Thank you for watching, I am local so you will see several of my videos may be of interest to you ⭐
James, always a pleasure to go on an adventure with you. Everywhere you go is a history lesson that is exciting! Cheers from Canada!
Thank you so much-A really nice comment that has made this all worthwhile -My pleasure to do this ,a small adventure in history that you have enjoyed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's interesting that the stone is set in the centre of a big natural amphitheatre. That's a sign that mass viewed events took place there.
Thank you -I am open minded around this ,you have provided a very thought provoking comment -Thank you for watching my small adventure in history ⭐
Hi James, Very interesting walk today and the whole zone amplifies the mystery, maybe creating more legend than there really is. I was curious about the iron oxide and a quick search indicates that this might be cuased by being buried and adquisition from neighbouring minerals rather than being part of the actual rock. Although it could be something far more grisely!!
You do have to be careful meeting cattle out in the wild, I have bad experience of this so am far more wary than I once was.
You'll have to take Sam there to see it too!!
All the best!!
Hi David-Very true the Stone is a mystery that is locked in by a lack of hard evidence relating to the Battle and Geology -I can only skirt around the possibilities of origin and use-The Bulls in the Summer are a total nightmare that make this area a *No go area*-I intend to walk the area with Sam who may be able to expand the mystery side far more than I am able to-Thank you for watching David you are becoming my top subscriber for thought provking comments ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@jameswalksinhistory3848 Thanks James, I like to reflect on what I have seen and add to it if I can in the comments. It's a way of showing my appreciation of the hard work you put in, I enjoy trying to write them too!! I do the same with my posts on the Instathingy!!
great video, you were suggested to me by TH-cam and I am glad you were, a very relaxing look at something I have never heard of in a moment of history which was so pivotal. I couldn't help but notice the topography of the location of the stone, very amphitheater like
Thank you-We have many areas like this in Wiltshire but this stone is a mystery -Thank you for watching my small adventure in history-Alfred and the Dane's much of which is unwritten history making it doubtful if we will ever know the true facts 👍
Hi James. Another very interesting explore. These places do tend to have a few different legends attached to them. Plausible but not prove able. Either way a thoroughly enjoyable and educating watch.
Best wishes. 👍🏻Watto
Thank you Watto-Live near here so on my mind for years the history and the mystery tends to be all mixed at times-A great area to visit , ponder and wonder about what may or not have happened-Thank uou for watching my friend ⭐
Hey James Loved this! I'd say it's probably a marker of some sort, I do wonder what's under all that hearth, maybe that would give an idea of what the stone really is. Wonderful video, my friend, thank you
Thank you Sam-Strangely to one side of it is a Round Barrow that has never been excavated-Some belive the Blood Stone has mystical powers and is haunted-I do not go with that ,this may be worth some research on your side-Anyway thank you for watching my friend I will have to take you there as it is Winter -In the Summer I have learned by my own errors it is a no go area 👍❤️😊
@jameswalksinhistory3848 ooooh I like that idea! We can definitely organise that 😁
That which is romantic but wrong is often a more preferable explanation for many. Funny to think that iron oxide might be the culprit in this case. The robbing of a sarson from long barrow to form a marker stone, though pedestrian as an explanation, is probably more feasible. There was a battle, though. And recycling is no new thing. Look at what they did to the bones of the dead after Waterloo!
Great video. Many thanks.
Thank you for watching my small adventure-As I state I have no facts but neither does anyone else unless a definative amount of evidence is found-Thank you for watching and your great comment 👍
As always, very interesting James. Thank you. Left me with lots of things to think about. I wonder
You and me both Tiz-Thank you so much for watching and please send my best regards to Dave 👍😊⭐
Very interesting & something to ponder on again. Really enjoy your videos, thank you James
So nice of you Janet-Thank you for watching ⭐
Cheers James, interesting to see that the stone sits in the middle of a natural amphitheatre. I like that not all things have a plausible explanation because then there would be no wonder or mystery. 🧔 👍
So true Bob-Many valleys like this one in our area -This one is the only with a Sarsen and a mystery-Thank you for watching my small adventure in history my friend ⭐
Another intriguing mystery. Thanks James
So true Judy-This has been on my mind for years being local I would love to find out if this was ever used for such a spine chilling thing ! Thank you for watching my small adventure in history 👍
Thank you once again James for another interesting video. The amount of history in our area is so fascinating. The walk up there is so beautiful & peaceful. It makes you feel there is so much going on there in a spirit way. Thank you once again James.
My pleasure Penny-Thank you for watching my small adventure in history I really do appreciate your great comment ⭐😊👍
very interesting video
Glad you liked it Daniel-Thank you very much for watching my small adventure in history ⭐👍
I’m a first time viewer and now I subscriber. Very interesting video
Awesome, thank you! I am pleased you enjoyed my small adventure in history-Thank you for subscribing to my channel 👍
Similarly, have you looked at the battle of Aclea (Ockley)? The books state that the site is unknown but there's oral history that contradicts that. Between Anstiebury Camp hill fort and Roman Stane (what better place for a battle) there's a field that is said to run red with the blood of the battle. It's red soll, my dad's ploughed it, but this seems to be long-lasting oral tradition of which the writers of the history books are unaware.
Thank you-You make a really good point that many of these things are lost to time unless evidence is found-Thank you for watching my small adventure in history ⭐
Love this Video James, I've camped on top of Picquet Hill a few times, very windy but such a good view point!
I had absolutely no idea about the blood stone until I watched your Channel, another to see on my ever increasing list 😁 Thanks James 👍
Thank you Robby -A short walk from Picquet-Remember to visit in the Winter-Thank you for watching my friend 👍
Another interesting video James , cheers
Thank you my friend a great thing to see in an area I walk on a regular basis-Thank you for watching ⭐
Hi James,
If as you suggest, the stone was moved from the nearby Long Barrow. That's not a reason to dismiss that it could have been used for executions or something equally sinister. The COLOUR of the stone is it's unique feature. Most sarsen stones are grey aren't they, (thinking Grey Wethers ect.) so for neolithic people, this unusual coloured stone would have been special?
Might well have been used for "murder" at some point, but perhaps not the "murders" we are thinking of.
So true I agree with your thoughts-I think that in a roundabout way I was attempting to convey the possible origin of the stone ,the possible use in 878 then how it may have been used in 1575 .Then the present position relating back to the battle ,summarised with the mystery side of it all -Thank you so much for watching and your great comment ⭐
Very often there is some truth if maybe stretched in local legends but its interestin👍
I agree -Thank you for watching my small adventure in history 👍
A mystery for sure. Thank you James for your videos. Who's that playing the piano?
So true-The pianist is Nick who was playing in Stourhead House he gave me permission to use this ,thought it would make a nice change ? Anyway thank you for watching another one of my small adventures in history -I am hoping one day someone will solve it all 👍⭐
@jameswalksinhistory3848 yes a beautiful change to the end of your video.
Enjoyed the video, could the red colour on the stone also have been a reason for the name? later being attached specifically to the Danish defeat. Without a doubt Alfred deserves his cognomen, not just for the victory over the Danes but for many other reasons. Always a pleasure to join you on your wanders.
Thank you Andy for watching my small adventure in history-I agree totally with your comments-You always feed my mind with more thoughts-Thank you ⭐👍😊
Unlikely to be an execution stone as the stone would damage the axe. Here is a long shot, it seems to be in a natural amphitheatre and could it be for an orator to stand on and address the throng? Not likely
Thank you for watching Peter-Anything is possible so what may seem a long shot now may not be if evidence is found-A great thought provoking comment-Thank you 👍
No smoke without fire as they say.
Soi true Nicholas-Thank you for watching my small adventure in history ⭐
Another mystery.
Hi Brandy- Thank you for watching my small adventure in history
Stepping stone get on your
Horse suit of armour 😂
I would not discount anything Martin-Thank you for watching my small adventure in history ⭐Question -are you my old school friend ?