The Hele Stone Or Friar's Heel


This stone, as being the largest of this group of three, and such a

conspicuous feature in the structure, demands something more than mere

passing mention. It is a monolith of unwrought stone standing sixteen

feet high. Such untrimmed stones are to be found all the world over in

connection with religious rites. Even the Jews were not untainted with

this early cult of stone worship.



Among the smooth stones
of the valley is thy portion; they are thy

lot; even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, hast thou offered

a meat offering, writes Isaiah.



In Christian times the custom continued. The Council of Tours as late

as A.D. 657 categorically excluded from Christianity all worshippers

of upright stones; while later, Canute forbade the barbarous worship

of stones, trees, fountains, and heavenly bodies. At once, therefore,

this huge unwrought monolith suggests religion, and probably one of

the earliest, and most primitive forms of worship. And thus being

obviously connected with non-Christian rites, it is not surprising to

find that it has a devil-legend attaching to it.



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