FOULISCALES STONE SD 692 492

FOULISCALES STONE SD 692 492

Size: h 27 in, w 12 in, t 6 in.

This very curious stone, anciently known as the Yolstone and later as Bonstone, was found in a wall of the road near Fouliscales, close to the Roman Road that traverses Bowland.

Carved onto the stone are three ‘sun crosses’ along with other circular markings and some later 16/17 th century lettering – H T.

The sun cross, a cross inside a circle, is a common symbol in artefacts of Prehistoric Europe, particularly during the Neolithic to Bronze Age periods. Combining the cross and the circle, it is the simplest conceivable representation of the union of opposed polarities in the Western world. It often stood for the sun and for the tree of life.



Solstices and equinoxes
In Wicca the sun cross most commonly represents the sun and the four quadrants the wheel of the year, i.e. the four seasonal cycles of the year.


The stone can be found now in the cellars of nearby Knowlmere Manor under the authority of the Peel Estate.

Ref: A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF SLAIDBURN, E Peel, 1922 (photo)
JOURNEYS THROUGH BRIGANTIA Vol 8, J Dixon, 1992 (drawing)

Hi John -

lowergate wrote:FOULISCALES STONE SD 692 492

Size: h 27 in, w 12 in, t 6 in.

This very curious stone, anciently known as the Yolstone and later as Bonstone, was found in a wall of the road near Fouliscales, close to the Roman Road that traverses Bowland.

Carved onto the stone are three ‘sun crosses’ along with other circular markings and some later 16/17 th century lettering – H T.
...

Sounds intriguing. Have you any photos of this that you can share with us? They'd be good to see.

Yours hopefully - Paul

Hi Paul,

Yes I have a recent photo of the stone taken by the Estate Manager. I will get my daughter to scan in into the computer and Email it to you.

I have known of the stone for over 30 years, and have mentioned it in 4 of my books, but only recently noticed the significance of the markings while researching the origins of 'round-headed' crosses (eg: Foulridge Cross (Taylor's Cross), Fox's Well Cross (Robin Hood's Well, Pendle Hill), Mitton Churchyard Cross (Tree of Life)- familliarity can often blind one's thinking!

Regards

John

lowergate wrote:Hi Paul,

Yes I have a recent photo of the stone taken by the Estate Manager. I will get my daughter to scan in into the computer and Email it to you.

Thanks - that's good of you! Look forward to it.

You can attach and add photos to this Forum aswell. When replying, check one of the boxes above (the 'Image' box) and follow directions. Good luck!

lowergate wrote:I have known of the stone for over 30 years, and have mentioned it in 4 of my books, but only recently noticed the significance of the markings while researching the origins of 'round-headed' crosses (eg: Foulridge Cross (Taylor's Cross), Fox's Well Cross (Robin Hood's Well, Pendle Hill), Mitton Churchyard Cross (Tree of Life)- familliarity can often blind one's thinking!

The number of these round-headed X's is considerable. I remember after a few years of seeking out the cup&ring art up here, then seeing the carved-art on some early xtian remains, the similarity and evolution of the symbols. J. Romilly Allen and others made similar notices in their day and it seems somewhat overlooked by a number of modern archaeo's. But I think it undoubted that the evolution of some primal CRs into early carved crosses designs is obvious - and intriguing!

all the best - Paul

Photo on way

j