It manifestly hence appears, Stoneheng no Sepulchre, either erected by A. Ambrosius, or by the British Nobility, or to any of their memories. Some Monument there was, perhaps, anciently set up in honour of them, at the Monastery of Ambresbury. Which, the fury of the Saxons when victorious, or violence of time, which destroyeth all things, utterly consuming, might happily be the reason, Historians in succeeding Ages, finding so notable an Antiquity as Stoneheng, not far from thence, and not apprehending for what use it was first built, suppos’d no other thing worthy A. Ambrosius, or those Britans, then such an extraordinary structure. Whereas, the Monuments in those ancient times, made for great Princes here in Britain, were onely two Pyramids between which interred, of no extraordinary bignesse erected to their memory in whate’re Religious places those Princes lay buried. Moreover, if seriously take notice of the severall sorts of Sepulchres used by divers Nations, none are found bearing like Aspect with this work Stoneheng, but of other kinde of Architecture, far different in Form, Manner, and Composure. Some, made of one Columne onely; or, if otherwise, only a vase erected on the place of buriall, as amongst the Athenians: Some, had a Columne whereon the shields used in War by the deceased, whilst living, were fixt, as in those medals of silver, which the Roman Senate dedicated to Vespasian: Some, a Columne with a Statue thereon; so the famous Columne of Trajan had a Colossus on the top thereof, as by his medals also appears. Again, the Gauls on the tops of Mountains, erected Pyramid’s or Columnes, as Monuments to their Princes. The Saxons were buried (as said before) in huge heaps of earth, to this day visible among us. The Keep of the now Castell S. Angelo at Rome was the Sepulchre of the Emperour Adrian. (such mighty moles were the Monuments of the Romans) The Greeks erected Altars, and instituted Sacrifices to the memory of their Chieftains, as the Spartans to Lysander: The renowned Carian Queen made the Mausoleum for her husband, a massie bulk of building, 140 foot high: The huge Pyramid’s in Ægypt causing such wonder in the world, were Sepulchres of Ægyptian Kings. In a word, amongst all Nations, Sepulchres whether little or great, were always reall and solid piles; not airous, with frequent openings, and void spaces of ground within, exposed to Sun and wind, neither uncovered like this Antiquity; or in any manner so built, as may enforce the least presumption, that this our Stoneheng was ever a Sepulchre.
I have given you a full relation what concerning Stoneheng hath been delivered by Writers, in respect of us though ancient, yet in regard of the great antiquity of this Work, indeed but modern, Geffrey Monmouth living not full five hundred years ago, and Polydore Virgill long after him, in King Henry the eighths reign: Who, as they are the principall Authors that write any thing of Stoneheng; so, upon what authority deliver the same, they make not appear. Insomuch, Camden gives no more credit to their relations in this very particular, then unto common sayings, (so he cals them) as if grounded upon Fame only, or invented by themselves. And it may the rather be so presumed, because, as they lived not in ancient times, and consequently could not themselves bear testimony of any such things; so, neither the Britans nor Saxons for a long time after their first arrivall here, had any Records or Writings to convey whatever actions, either of their own, or others to posterity. Ninnius a British Historian, living about one thousand years ago, telling us, Britannos doctores nullam peritiam habuisse, &c. The great Masters and Doctors of Britain had no skill, nor left memoriall of any thing in writing: confessing, that himself gathered whatsoever he wrote, out of the Annals and Chronicles of the holy Fathers. Nec Saxones amusi quicquam penè de rebus inter ipsos, & Britannos eo tempore gestis scriptum posteritati reliquerint, &c. Neither did the Saxons being unlearned (saith Leyland)Leyland. de assert. Art. fol. 25. leave almost any thing in writing to posterity, of the actions performed in those times betwixt themselves and Britans: whatsoever, remembred after Christ taught in this Island, of the first victories of the Saxons, being both taken up upon trust from the mouth of the common people, and committed to writing from vulgar reports only. Neither the Britans, utterly worn out with so many wars, had (as the same Author hath it) or desire, or opportunity, had they desired it, to bestow their pains in compiling any whatever history, that might commend their actions to succeeding Ages.
But, it maybe objected: If Polydore Virgill, and Geffrey Monmouth could neither be eye-witnesses themselves, nor have authority from other more ancient Authors for what related by them concerning Stoneheng: and that from whatever writings ancient or modern, not any thing of certainty can be found out concerning the same; from whence then appear, for what use, or by whom Stoneheng erected? I answer, though not appear from Histories written either by the Britans or Saxons; yet, as Gildas professing he wrote his History (for the former reasons) by relations from beyond Sea: and, as Ninnius his out of the Annals and Chronicles of the holy Fathers as aforesaid: so, severall other ways a possibility of truth may be gathered, namely, from the authority of other Nations; from the concurrence of time for such undertakings; from the customs of forepassed Ages in like works; from the manner and form of building proper to severall Countries; from the use to which such buildings applied, and the like. Upon which, as occasion serves, intending hereafter more largely to insist, I shall in the mean while set down the judgement our late Writers give of this Antiquity.
Camden, a diligent searcher after Antiquities of our Nation, having, in his Chorography of Wiltshire, collected all the aforesaid opinions, together with his own, gives a summary description of Stoneheng, in words as follow. Cam. fo. 251. Towards the North, about six miles from Salisbury, in the plain, is to be seen a huge and monstrous peece of work, such as Cicero termeth insanam substructionem. For, within the circuit of a ditch, there are erected in manner of a Crown, in three ranks or courses one within another, certain mighty and unwrought stones, whereof some are twenty eight foot high, & seven foot broad, upon the heads of which others, like overthwart peeces, do bear and rest cross-wise, with a small tenon and mortaise, so as the whole frame seemeth to hang; whereof we call it Stoneheng, like as our old Historians termed it for the greatness the Giants dance. Our Countrimen reckon this for one of our wonders, and miracles. And much they marvell, from whence such huge stones were brought, considering that in all those quarters bordering thereupon, there is hardly to be found any common stone at all for building: as also, by what means they were set up. For mine own part about these points I am not curiously to argue and dispute, but rather to lament with much grief, that the Authors of so notable a Monument are thus buried in oblivion. Yet some there are, that think them to be no naturall stones hewn out of the rock, but artificially made of pure sand, and by some glewy and unctuous matter knit and incorporate together, like as those ancient trophies or monuments of victory which I have seen in Yorkshire. And what marvell? Read we not I pray you in Pliny, that the sand or dust of Puteoli, being covered over with water, becometh forthwith a very stone, that the cisterns in Rome of sand, digged out of the ground, and the strongest kind of lime wrought together grow so hard, that they seem stones indeed? and that statues and images of marble scalings, and small grit grow together so compact and firm, that they were deemed entire and solid marble? The common saying is, that Ambrosius Aurelianus, or his brother Uther did rear them up, by the art of Merlin, &c. Thus far Camden, it being needlesse to repeat more from him, having already delivered the story from the Authors themselves. Yet here neverthelesse, as necessarily induced thereunto, I shall take leave to observe something more remarkable to our purpose in hand, upon his words.
In the first place then, Stoneheng is by him called a huge and monstrous peece of work, terming it from Cicero, insanam substructionem. To which I say, had Camden as well attained other abilities of an Architect, as he was skilfull in Antiquities: or been as conversant in Antiquities abroad, as learned in those of his own Nation, he would have given a far different judgement hereof. For, whosoever is acquainted with the ancient ruines yet remaining in and about Italy, may easily perceive this no such huge building, either for the circuit of the work, or bignesse of the stones, they being as manageable to the Roman Architects, as amongst us to raise a May-pole, or mast of a Ship. And, if this styled huge and monstrous, what may be said of Diocletians baths? the great Cirque? Marcellus his Theater? Vespasians Temple of Peace? and other prodigious works of the Romans? the very remainders whereof now lying in the dust, breed amazement and wonder (not without just reason too) in whosoever beholds them with attentivenesse and judgement. Nay, whereas he styles it insanam substructionem, it’s demonstrable, that betwixt this Island of great Britain, and Rome it self, there’s no one structure to be seen, wherein more clearly shines those harmoniacall proportions, of which only the best times could vaunt, then in this of Stoneheng.
Moreover, Our Countreymen marvell (saith he) from whence such huge stones were brought, considering that in all those quarters bordering thereupon, there is hardly to be found any common stone for building. Upon what trust Camden (his extraordinary judgement otherwise considered) took this relation, I know not. For there is not onely common stone thereabouts, for ordinary uses, but stone of extraordinary proportions likewise, even for greater works (if occasion were) then Stoneheng: the Quarries of Hasselborough and Chilmark, both of them not far from the borders of the plain, having of a long time furnished all the adjacent parts with common stone for building. And (to come nearer the matter) it is manifest, that in divers places about the Plain, the same kinde of Stone whereof this Antiquity consists may be found, especially about Aibury in North-Wiltshire, not many miles distant from it, where not onely are Quarries of the like stone, but also stones of far greater dimensions then any at Stoneheng, may be had.
They wonder also (saith he) by what means they (that, is such huge stones) were set up. What may be effected by that Mechanicall Art, which Dee in his Mathematicall Preface to Euclyde, cals Menadry, or Art of ordering Engines for raising weights; those (it seems) of whom Camden speaks took little notice of, when Archimedes during the siege of Syracuse,Plut. in Marcel. raised out of the Sea, and turned in the air at pleasure, the Ships and Gallies of the Romans, full fraught as they were with Souldiers, Mariners, and their ordinary lading: and if King Hieron could have assigned him, a fit place to firm his engines on, he would have undertaken to remove, even the terrestriall Globe out of the worlds center, so high, perfection in this Art transported him. What should I say of the Obelisk in Ages so far past, brought from the Mountains of Armenia, and erected in Babylon by Semiramis, one hundred & fifty foot high, and at the base twenty four foot square of one entire stone? Est in fano Latonæ (saith HerodotusHerod. lib. 2. of his own knowledge) delubrum ex uno factum lapide, cujus parietes æquali celsitudine ad longitudinem quadragenum cubitorum, cujus lacunari, pro tecto impositus est alius lapis quatuor cubitorum per oras crassitudine. In the Temple of Latona (in Ægypt) is a Chappell formed of one stone, whose walls being of equall height, are in length forty cubits, covered in like manner with one sole stone four cubits thick. Those, which made this wonder would have much more admired, if they could have seen the Obelisk raised in times of old by King Ramesis at Heliopolis,Ptol. lib. 4.
Plin. lib. 36. in that part of Ægypt anciently called Thebais, in height one hundred twenty one Geometrical feet (which of our measure makes one hundred thirty six feet) of one entire stone: and so little wonder made they of raising it, that the Architect undertook and did effect it, the Kings own son being at the same time bound to the top thereof. Amongst the Romans, Augustus Cæsar erected in the great Cirque at Rome, an Obelisk of one stone, one hundred and twenty foot, nine inches long: another also, was set up in Mars field, nine foot higher then it, by the said Emperour. And it seems also, neither they, nor Camdens self had ever seen that Obelisk, which even in these our days, in the year one thousand five hundred eighty six, Sixtus Quintus caused to be erected in the Piazza of S. Peter at Rome,Dom. Font. lib. 1. one hundred and eight Roman palms high, and at the base twelve palms square, (according to our Assise, fourscore and one foot high, and nine foot square) of one entire stone also: Dominico Fontana being Architect. But, there are more strange things (as Sir Walter Raleigh hath it) in the world, then betwixt London and Stanes. It is want of knowledge in Arts makes such admirers, and Art it self have so many Enemies. Had I not been thought worthy (by him who then commanded) to have been sole Architect thereof, I would have made some mention of the great stones used in the work, and Portico at the West end of S. Pauls Church London, but I forbear; though in greatnesse they were equall to most in this Antiquity, and raised to a far greater height then any there. What manner of Engines the Ancients used for raising; and what secure ways they had, for cariage and transportation of their huge weights, is more proper for another subject.
Some there are (saith Camden) that think them to be no naturall stones, hewn out of the rock, but artificially made of pure sand, and by some glewy and unctuous matter, knit and incorporate together, like those ancient trophies, or monuments of victory, which I have seen in Yorkshire. As for these Monuments (for my part) I have not seen, otherwise I would give my sense upon them, and happily they may be found as far from being artificiall, as those at Stoneheng. And what marvell? (saith he) read we not, I pray you, in Pliny, that the sand or dust of Puteoli, being covered over with water, becometh forthwith a very stone &c. He might as well have told us the Rocks in Portland are artificiall. But it’s true, this sand of Puteoli, was much used by the Ancients, and it is such a kind of earth, as is very famous for its admirable effects in building, being tempered with the cement of Cuma: For, it not onely yeelds strength to all other buildings, but thereby also, all works made in the Sea under water, are most firmly consolidated. Yet, doe I not find, that ever the Ancients made any artificiall stones thereof, or that Vitruvius hath any thing to that purpose, to him the credit given to Pliny, and others, concerning the Earth of Puteoli, being only due; posterity being in the first place beholding unto him for finding out the nature of that earth, he giving us not only the effects thereof, but the cause also from whence those effects proceed. Hoc autem fieri hac ratione videtur, quòd sub his montibus (i.e. in regionibus Baianis,Vitr. lib. 2. cap. 6. & in agris, quæ sunt circa Vesuvium montem) & terræ ferventes sunt, & fontes crebri, qui non essent, si non in imo haberent, aut de sulphure, aut alumine, aut bitumine ardentes maximos ignes. Which is (saith he) by reason in those mountains (to wit, in the regions of Baiæ, and fields about mount Vesuvius) the grounds are hot, and full of springs, which heat could not be, but that from the bottome, are nourished mighty great fires, arising from sulphur, alume, or brimstone there. Indeed, according to Pliny, the sand upon the side of the hill of Puteoli, being opposed to the Sea, and continually drenched, and drowned with the water thereof, doth (by the restringent quality, no doubt, of the salt water) become a stone so compact, and united together, that scorning all the violence of the surging billows, it hardeneth every day more and more.
Neverthelesse, whosoever could find out any kind of earth in this Island, naturally apt, to make artificiall stones of such greatnesse as these; and, like them so obdurate also, that hardly any tool enter them: or, that our Auncestors in times of old, did make use of such a cement, and in what manner composed by them. The benefit thereof doubtlesse, would amount so ample to this Nation, that Records could not but render him deservedly famous to all posterity. In the mean while, as it is most certain those stones at Stoneheng are naturall; so, am I as clearly of opinion, the very Quarries from whence hewn, were about Aibury beforementioned: where, no small quantities of the same kind, are even at this day to be had; vast scantlings, not only appearing about the Town it self, but throughout the plain and fields adjoyning, the Quarries lying bare, numbers also numberlesse of stones, are generally seen. (being no small prejudice to the bordering inhabitants) As also, not far from the edge of Wiltshire, in the ascent from Lamborn to Whitehorse hill, the like stones are daily discovered. To mention, more places in particular is needlesse, the Quarries at and about Aibury (without relating to Lamborn, or what ever other) distant but fifteen miles or thereabouts from Stoneheng, being of themselves sufficient to clear the doubt. These, having through long time, got the very same crustation upon them, are in like manner coloured, grained, bedded, weighty, and of like difficulty in working, as those at Stoneheng. Some of which, being of a whitish colour, are intermixt and veined here and there with red: some, of a lightish blew, glister, as if minerall amongst them: some, for the most part white, perplexed (as it were) with a ruddy colour: some, dark gray and russet, differing in kinds as those stones at Aibury do. Some of them again, of a grayish colour, are speckled or intermixt with dark green, and white, together with yellow amongst it, resembling after a sort, that kind of marble which the Italians (from the valley where the Quarries are found) call Pozzevera; nothing, notwithstanding, so beautifull, though naturally much harder, and being weathered by time, as in this work; disdain the touch even of the best tempered tool. Insomuch, that if nothing else, the more then ordinary hardnesse of them is such, as will in part convince any indifferent judgement in the nature and quality of stones; those, in this Antiquity, are not (as Camden would have them) artificiall, but naturall.
Whatsoever, worthy admiration concerning Stoneheng, either in relation to the greatnesse of the work in generall, the extraordinary proportion of the stones in particular, the wonder the people make, from whence brought, by what Arts or Engines raised, and in such order placed, Camden delivers; certainly, in his judgement he was wholly opposite to the opinions of the aforesaid British Historians. He would never else, with so much regret have complained, The Authors of so notable a Monument lay buried in oblivion, had he given any the least credit, this Antiquity had been built, either by A. Ambrosius, or the British Nobility, or to eternize either of their names, or actions to succeeding generations. Let Geffrey Monmouth and his followers, say what they please, Henry Huntingdon (his Contemporary, if not more Ancient) is mine Author,H. Hunting, lib. 1. Nec potest aliquis excogitare, qua arte tanti lapides adeo in altum elevati sunt, vel quare ibi constructi sunt. No man knows (saith Huntingdon) for what cause Stoneheng erected, or (which is fully answered already) by what Art such huge stones were raised to so great a height. Take with you also Draytons judgement in his Poly-olbion couched under the fiction of old Wansdikes depraving Stoneheng. (Wansdike being a huge Ditch in Wiltshire so called, anciently, as Camden opines,Cam. fo. 241. dividing the two Kingdomes of the Mertians and West Saxons asunder)