Originally called Stantone, and Stantune, from Srean, a stone, and ron, a town, and additionally Stanton-Drew, from its ancient lords.

Stands between Pensford and Chew-Magna, equidistant from both; whence the common proverbial rhyme:

"Stanton-Drew, A mile from Pensford, and another from Chew."

The river Chew washes this parish, and runs under a stone bridge northward from the church in its way to Pensford. The road to that town from Chew passes to the north of this river, and in the road lies an immense stone called Hautville's-Coit [Map], (a name it has sustained for many ages) and is by tradition reported to have been thrown hither by that gigantick champion Sir John Hautville, from Mays-Knolle-Hill, upwards of a mile distant, the place of his abode. The tump on that hill is alfo affirmed to have been the cleanings of the same man's spade; and so confident are the common people of the reality of the manoeuvre, that a farm-house erected of late years near the coit, was distinguiftied by the title of Hautville's-Coit Farm, which doubtless it will preserve till records are no more. This stone was formerly of vast magnitude, being computed to have weighed upwards of thirty tons; but the waggon loads of fragments that have been broken from it at different times, for the purpose of mending the roads, have diminished its consequence as to bulk and appearance, though not as to antiquity or the design of its erection; for it was part of a very remarkable monument of antiquity, which has distinguished this parish for many ages, and has diverted the steps of many a traveller.

It [Stanton Drew Stone Circles] stands in an inclosure northeastward from the church, and consists of the remains of four assemblages of huge ponderous stones, forming two circles, an oblong, and an ellipsis. The first, or largest circle, part of which is crossed by an old hedge-row, is westward from the other parts, and is three hundred feet in diameter, composed of fourteen large stones, some of which are fallen and lie flat upon the ground; the second circle eastward is eighty-four feet in diameter, and consists of eight stones; the oblong, consisting of five stones, stands between the two circles, but rather inclining to the south; and at the southeast extremity of all is the ellipsis, which is forty feet in length, and has seven stones, one of them placed as it were centrically, and out of the line of arrangement. The stones which form the second or inner circle are the largest; one of those on the west side being nine feet high, and twenty-two feet in circumference, and would upon a calculation weigh upwards of fifteen tons. It seems to be a composition of pebbles, grit, and other concrete matter, and never to have been hewn from the rock.

This part, though in itself immense, and occupying a large extent of ground, appears to be only the centre of the stupendous building. Doubtless there were many avenues to it, and Hautville's-coit seems to have served as part of a portal to one of them. There were also other outworks, one of which [Stanton Drew Cove [Map]], consisting of three prodigious stones, placed in a triangular form, still remains on a small eminence, in an orchard belonging to Mr. Fowler, southwest from the church. Two of these ftones are standing; the largest measuring ten feet in height, and six feet and a half in width; the one that is fallen is fourteen feet long, and eight feet wide.¹

Note 1. Notes taken April 9, 1789.

Dr. Stukeley calls this last-mentioned monument the Cove; and, with other antiquarians, contends that the whole of this singular work, as well as Stonehenge and Abury in Wiltshire, was a temple erected by the British Druids.¹ And Wood, in his account of Bath, refers it to the Pythagorean planetary system, adopted by the fame people, who, according to some writers, professed to understand not only the form and magnitude of the universe in general, and of the earth in particular, but also the courses of the stars, and their several revolutions.²

Note 1. Itin. Curios. ii. 169

Note 2. Description of Bath, ii. 148.

Future antiquaries perhaps will not rest satisfied with either of these opinions, and probably hereafter the pen of some able writer, considering the vicinity of Wansdyke, will more minutely trace its origin, and define it a trophy intended to commemorate some signal victory obtained on that important rampart, where so much blood was shed by the arms of Britons and Celtick barbarians. The many camps, rampires, military ways, and ancient reliques, that we see in this part of the country, are so many indications of that contending spirit which once animated the warlike inhabitants to defend their property against the invasions and assaults of foreigners.¹ The common people call this relique The Wedding, from a tradition that as a woman was going along to be married, she and all her attendants were at once converted into stones, and that it is an impiety to attempt reckoning their number.

Note 1. See vol. i. p. 17

There is within the precincts of this parish, and at no great diftance from the stones above described, an ancient village called Belluton; but formerly Belgetotie; of which if we admit the etymology, that it signifies the town of the Belgæ, it will add considerable weight to the conjecture that Stantone arose in consequence of the Belgick incursion.