Myth and Legend
The local myth about the creation of the stones suggests that nine maidens were turned into stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday. The fiddler, a megalith some distance north of the row, is said to be the petrified remains of the musician who played for the dancers. These petrifaction legends are often associated with stone circles, and is reflected in the folk names of some of the nearby sites, for example, Hurlers and Pipers on Bodmin Moor. It is likely that these tales were encouraged by the early Christian Church to prevent old pagan habits continuing at the sites.
The stone row was first noted by historian Richard Carew in 1605. He said:-
Wade bridge delivereth you into waste ground, where 9 long and great stones called The sisters stand in a ranke together, and seem to have been so pitched, for continuing the memory of somewhat, whose notice is yet envied us by time.
Read more about this topic: Nine Maidens Stone Row
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