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Devil's
Arrows
Yorkshire
At Barrowbridge, just off the A1(M) are the Devil's Arrows. They consist of three huge standing stones that are almost in a straight line that orientates north to south. There is a small road that runs between the stones so that one stands on it's own on one side of the road with the other two side by side on the opposite side. Originally there were four stones. The one that is now missing was allegedly broken up to be used to built the bridge over the river Tutt, although the stone for the bridge was more than likely quarried from nearby Knaresborough. The name for the stones (Devil's Arrows) comes from a local legend about the Devil, who through the stones from Howe Hill towards the neighbouring town of Aldborough. As he threw the stones he supposedly shouted
"Borobrigg
keep out o' way,
For Aldborough town
I will ding
down!"
Unfortunately he missed his mark and the stones landed in Barrowbridge in error, where they still stand today.
Believed to be the site of a solstice fair in historical times, the stones date to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. With regards to the alignment of the stone, there have been several postulations as to whether they are aligned on ley line or if they have astronomical alignments.
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