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corruption of Thor-Stein, the Stone of Thor, or Thor’s Altar, from which it is 
suggested the parish takes its name, Thorstein, Dorstein or Dorstone ; but 
this is not wholly satisfactory or conclusive ; if it be so the Saxon invaders must 
have adopted for their ceremonial rites, an ancient Keltic structure, which is 
improbable. The name ‘‘Stone,” whether preceded by ‘‘ Thor” or “* Arthur, ” 
must be English—an English suffix given to an ill-understood relic of antiquity. 
It would seem more likely that the original British name was lost, and at some 
later period the name of “Arthur” was given to the Cromlech as a vague 
memorial of a shadowy but celebrated hero, whose name was so well known 
throughout Britain, and one of whose residences was not far distant. The title 
page of Duncumb’s “‘ History and Antiquities of the County of Hereford,” pub- 
lished in 1804, has a fine woodcut of the Cromlech, as it then appeared, and 
although not signed with Bewick’s name, there can be little doubt that it is his 
work. We have it on the authority of that eminent geologist, the Rev. W. S. 
Symonds, F.G.S., that ‘‘the large incumbent stone was no doubt hewn from the 
rock close by.” The adjacent quarry was exposed which enabled a correct opinion 
to be formed. The other stones, some of which have fallen from their originally 
upright position, belong, Mr. Symonds says, for the most part, to the hard lime- 
stone of the cornstones, and are not in situ on the horizon of the Cromlech, but 
lie scattered about as boulders upon the land. All the stones belong to the Old 
Red Sandstone of the Country. On the south western side the Cromlech is close 
to an ancient road, probably British (as most of the British roads ran along the 
summits of the hills), in the angle, formed by another ancient road that comes up 
the hill to Dorstone, and is now used only for agricultural purposes, and as a 
bridle road. The Cromlech stands fifteen miles due north of the Skirred-fawr. A 
line drawn from the Skirred-fawr, near Abergavenny, northwards to Arthur’s Stone, 
would pass over the Camp on the southernmost point of the Hatterill Hill, Old 
Castle, Longtown Castle, and Urishay and Snodhill Castles. It consists of 
several stones, about 18 may be counted now, besides fragments. The chief 
feature is the large incumbent stone broken into three parts, and resting upon 
about ten smaller upright stones of various dimensions. In form it is nearly 
oval, the sides, east and west, being straight ; with two irregular sides north and 
south, the north somewhat curved, pointed at the extremity, and eroded 
considerably. An evident fracture of the stone has shortened the south end, 
which is about four feet in width. The long axis is due north and south, 
measuring about nineteen feet. The short axis, east and west, is twelve feet. 
The straight side, on the west, is fifteen feet, and on the eastern side thirteen 
feet. The thickness varies, and probably nowhere exceeds two feet. Between 
the under-surface of the stone and the ground is a space of about four feet ; 
formerly the distance was greater as the hollow has been partially filled up by 
worm casts and other means. Ata distance of eight feet from the south end of 
the large stone is an upright one, five feet high, and five feet six inches broad, 
standing with its edges east and west. A similar, but smaller stone may be seen 
further on, and several fragments lie around. A small Avenue occurs at the 
north end of the large stone, leading from it to the old road, and formed by 
