Battle of The Beanfield - Historical Context and Events Leading Up To The Battle

Historical Context and Events Leading Up To The Battle

Stonehenge used to be part of the Antrobus family’s estate but was given to the nation in 1918. Up until 1984, Stonehenge and that patch of land that it rests on, were managed by the Department of Environment. Its management was then passed to English Heritage in 1984.

The general public has utilized Stonehenge for centuries as a place for casual visitors and a place for special occasions. As early as 1680, a fair took place here. It was used for a midsummer sports day, as early as 1781. It was also used in the Victorian era for picnic parties and entertainments. Stonehenge’s solar alignment was discovered in the 1800s, which caused the focus of celebration to turn to the summer solstice. In 1901, Stonehenge was fenced off and there became an entry fee, much to the frustration of the general public who fought in court to gain free access again, but failed. Folks continued to come to Stonehenge in midsummer to watch the sun, and also to watch different neo-Druid groups conducting ceremonies in and around Stonehenge.

Whether these Druid groups actually have a real connection to ancient druids or a real connection to Stonehenge itself is heavily disputed. Christopher Chippindale asserts that “They take themselves as religious heirs to the Druids of the British pre-Roman iron age, of whom they believe Stonehenge was a temple.” This is so contested because there is serious doubt among scholars that Stonehenge was used by ancient Druid’s in the first place, so it is false to say that these neo-Druids are carrying on the religious traditions of ancient druids, who probably had no connection to the site. However, most agree that authenticity can not be the major determinate as to who is allowed admission to Stonehenge.

A more recent addition to the festivities surrounding Stonehenge include the festival which came to Stonehenge in 1974. Many different groups came to the Stonehenge People’s Free Festival, most belonging to pagan religious groups. The festival grew in size and the majority of publicity surrounding the festival put an emphasis on sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll. In 1984, the festival resulted in the destruction of archaeological information and the site itself, “holes had been dug in Bronze Age barrows for latrines and as bread ovens, motorcycles had been ridden over them, churning the surface. Fences had been torn down, and 1000 young trees cut down for firewood” (Chippindale, 1986). The clean up cost upwards of £20,000, besides the priceless archaeological information that was lost.