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Quiz about Legends of the Standing Stones
Quiz about Legends of the Standing Stones

Legends of the Standing Stones Quiz


The United Kingdom has many standing stones and stone circles, some of which have fascinating legends attached to them.

A multiple-choice quiz by StarStruck60. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
StarStruck60
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
314,777
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Difficult
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
328
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Which stone circle, near Land's End in Cornwall, is said to be a group of young ladies who ignored the Sabbath and were turned to stone for their sin? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Standing in Oxfordshire, not far from the Gloucestershire border, is a stone circle which legend states is a transformed King and his knights. Which stone circle is this? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The Hurlers are said to be men who refused to stop playing their game and attend Church when commanded to do so by St. Cleer. Where are they situated? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. An ancient custom is carried out at the Stones of Stenhouse in the Orkney Islands. What is this called? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Which iconic stone circle is supposed to have been constructed by Merlin in a single night? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Situated in Wiltshire this complex of stone circles is one of the largest Neolithic sites in Europe. What is its name? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Said to come alive at midnight and dance on the moor, where are the Grey Ladies situated? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. The Devil's Stone is located in the village of Shebbear in Devon. What happens to it once a year? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Standing some 22ft high, what is the name of the three standing stones found near Aldborough, North Yorkshire? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Three standing stones in the village of Enstone, Oxfordshire, are said to be what? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which stone circle, near Land's End in Cornwall, is said to be a group of young ladies who ignored the Sabbath and were turned to stone for their sin?

Answer: The Merry Maidens

The Merry Maidens is said to represent nineteen young women who, when on their way to Sunday Service, were distracted by the music of some pipers. Instead of continuing to Church they danced in the field and for this sin were struck by a thunderbolt which turned them to stone.

The pipers were also turned to stone and can be seen as two tall standing stones approximately a quarter of a mile away.
2. Standing in Oxfordshire, not far from the Gloucestershire border, is a stone circle which legend states is a transformed King and his knights. Which stone circle is this?

Answer: The Rollright Stones

The legend says that a King and his knights were riding to make war on the King of England. A prophecy stated that if they came within sight of the village of Long Compton they would be successful. Just before they reached a point where they could see the village a magician appeared and turned them into stones.

It is also said that it is impossible to count these stones. A local baker is said to have tried by putting a loaf on each stone, but even this ruse did not work.
3. The Hurlers are said to be men who refused to stop playing their game and attend Church when commanded to do so by St. Cleer. Where are they situated?

Answer: Bodmin Moor

Cornwall is rich in stone circles, monoliths and Celtic and Druidic legend. Situated on the edge of Bodmin Moor not far from Liskeard, the Hurlers are three stone circles dating from around 1500BC. They are said to be a group of local men who preferred to play hurling on a Sunday rather than attend Church. St. Cleer ordered them to stop playing and go to Church, and when they refused and carried on playing he turned them to stone with a glance.

As with most circles their original purpose is not known, but is thought to be Druidical.
4. An ancient custom is carried out at the Stones of Stenhouse in the Orkney Islands. What is this called?

Answer: The Promise of Odin

The Stones of Stenhouse are a particularly fine example of a stone circle, and are believed to be of Scandinavian origin. Local custom says that a couple who are intending to marry and wish to make it an eternally binding pledge join hands through a circle in one of the stones, known as The Stone of Odin. This joining of hands through the circle is known locally as 'The Promise of Odin'.
5. Which iconic stone circle is supposed to have been constructed by Merlin in a single night?

Answer: Stonehenge

Arthurian legend states that Merlin constructed Stonehenge in a single night.
Standing on Salisbury Plain this magnificent stone circle remains shrouded in mystery. Given World Heritage status it is the stone circle everyone knows and it remains revered by many. Ghost sightings within the circle abound and there is even a legend that Merlin himself is buried beneath the central stone.
6. Situated in Wiltshire this complex of stone circles is one of the largest Neolithic sites in Europe. What is its name?

Answer: Avebury

Only 20 miles from Stonehenge, Avebury consists of earthworks and dykes inside of which stand a massive outer stone circle, with two smaller stone circles inside that. When constructed there were some 98 sarsen stones in the outer circle, some weighing as much as 40 tons.

This magnificent site was given World Heritage status at the same time as Stonehenge. Before the circle was given protection some stones were taken for local building works and houses made from these stones are said to be haunted by angry spirits.
7. Said to come alive at midnight and dance on the moor, where are the Grey Ladies situated?

Answer: Derbyshire

The original legend of the Grey Ladies states that there were nine stones on the site, but only four now survive. They are said to come to life at midnight, turn into young girls, and dance on the moor. Another legend associated with the site says that at night fairies come to party and dance round the stones.
8. The Devil's Stone is located in the village of Shebbear in Devon. What happens to it once a year?

Answer: It is turned over

The Devil's Stone is said to have fallen from the Devil's pocket as he fell from Heaven to Hell. It sits outside the village church, and once a year, on the evening of November 5th, the church bell ringers first ring a peal and then come out of the Church and turn the stone over to keep the Devil away.
The turning was neglected once during World War 1 and misfortune came to the village almost immediately.
9. Standing some 22ft high, what is the name of the three standing stones found near Aldborough, North Yorkshire?

Answer: The Devil's Arrows

Known as The Devil's Arrows or The Devil's Bolts there were originally four stones and legend says that they are thunderbolts thrown by the Devil from the top of nearby Howe Hill at the Christian settlement at Fountains Abbey. They fell short of their target lodging in the ground as standing stones, and in despair the Devil hanged himself from the tallest stone.
10. Three standing stones in the village of Enstone, Oxfordshire, are said to be what?

Answer: A man, his horse and his dog

Enstone takes its name from a Neolithic burial site and these stones were probably part of this site. Local legend states they are a man, his horse and his dog, but not who they were or why they were turned to stone. They are said to walk down to the river each night to drink, and it is also said that if they are moved they will, overnight, walk back to their original place.
Source: Author StarStruck60

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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