Is it possible for a royal relic to have such a humble career? For a while, this massive sarsen stone block served as a mounting block. It wasn't until 1850 that it was granted its current dignity, placed on a plinth in the market place with the names of seven kings inscribed around its side.
Why so many kings? The records suggest that several monarchs, including Æthelstan and Æthelred the Unready, were consecrated here in the 10th century. There is also evidence for the consecration of Edward the Elder and Edward the Martyr. The stone was eventually recovered from the ruins of the old St Mary's church after it collapsed in 1730.
Was it actually the primary coronation site? Local legend says these ceremonies gave Kingston its name - "farmstead of the kings" - but the council records from 838 suggest otherwise. Still, it remains a heavy piece of history, even if it spent some of its life just helping people climb onto horses.
If you visit today, you will find it sitting in front of the Guildhall. There was a plan in 2017 to move it back to the old churchyard, but the stone seems content where it is for now.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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