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. Stonehenge 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.
Related Articles
Readers may also enjoy reading Who Were the Ancient Druids? and Modern Druid Organizations.
References
- The Solitary Druid (2005) by Rev. Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison, published by Citadel Press.
- Exploring the World of the Druids (1997) by Miranda J. Green, published by Thames and Hudson.
- Megalithia by Richard Mudhar.
