Stonehenge and the Druids

Ancient and Modern Links between the Stone Circle and Druidry

Mar 24, 2009

Stonehenge has long been associated with Druids. Although many myths abound, a strong link still exists between contemporary Druids and this unique site.

Stonehenge is a focal point for some contemporary Druids, particularly at key moments of the Druid calendar, such as the Summer Solstice

But in recent times the Druids’ wish to perform ceremonies at the monument has been controversial, at times attracting the disapproval of the authorities.

Stonehenge and Druidry Associated by the Romans

The Romans associated the Druids with Stonehenge, but there is no clear written indication that they used the monument for ceremonial purposes.

The information is likely to be incomplete as the Druids were persecuted by the Romans for their resistance to the empire.

Stonehenge First Associated with the Druids in Recent History

Seventeen Century Antiquarian, John Aubrey, was the first to connect the Druids to Stonehenge in recent times, notably in his book Monumenta Britannica which was completed in the 1670s.

His logic was simply that since Stonehenge was pre-Roman, and appeared to serve a ceremonial purpose, it must be Druidic. This view was widely accepted by his contemporaries.

The Growth of a Romantic Druidic Stonehenge Myth

The early revivalist Druids of the Eighteenth Century, particularly Lincolnshire Doctor William Stukely, claimed that the ancient Druids built Stonehenge, however this is now known to be false. S

tonehenge was in fact built somewhere between 2900 and 1600 BC, far earlier than the time of the ancient Druids.

Stonehenge and Druids in the Twentieth Century

In the early Twentieth Century access to Stonehenge was relatively unrestricted, and several Druid groups performed ceremonies there at the Summer Solstice.

Even after a barbed wire fence was installed around the monument in the 1960s, Druids were permitted access to Stonehenge by special arrangement through the 1970s and early 1980s.

In the last few years of the Twentieth Century access to the Stonehenge was considerably restricted in the interest of preservation of the monument, but some pagan groups, including many Druids, considered these restrictions to be excessive.

The disagreement culminated in the controversial prohibition of assembly at Stonehenge under the British Criminal Justice Act of the 1990s.

Stonehenge and Druids Today

Today small groups of Druids may be granted access to the Stone Circle itself outside of public opening hours, with written permission of English Heritage, and on payment of a fee.

During public opening hours visitors may only walk around a path that circles the monument at some distance.

References

The copyright of the article Stonehenge and the Druids in Druidism is owned by Joanne E. Brannan. Permission to republish Stonehenge and the Druids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.