The majority of runestones are memorials to people who died, whether at home or abroad. Some runestones also functioned as a form of public declaration for land ownership. Others believe that some possess magic or even curses.
My guest, runestone photographer Johan Grennard (@tales_from_the_north), joins me to discuss famous runestones located in Sweden from before the Vendel period through the Viking Age. These once brightly colored painted stones have since faded, but we hope to restore their vibrancy by sharing the stories behind these iconic stones. So, sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things SWEDISH RUNESTONES.
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Lifting stones have been used all over the world to mark a boy’s passage from childhood into manhood, and Norway is no different. Tucked away in the mountains and valleys of some of the country’s most remote areas, you can still find these stones just waiting to be lifted by the next challenger.
My guest, Knut Einar Skår (@knuteinarskar), has been hard at work researching and locating these manhood stones, building an online database where all their history and information can be stored. After speaking with locals and poring over the national archives, Knut has identified more than 60 stones and their locations. Many of these were testing stones, used by men of the area to prove their strength, be confirmed in the church, or, in one instance, be bestowed with supernatural powers! The tradition and folklore of lifting stones in Norway cannot be ignored, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things NORWEGIAN MANHOOD STONES.
Norwegian Lifting Stones Website: loftestein.no/en
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It was a great day in each young man’s life when he raised the stone from the ground and ‘gave it wind’, as they said. And if he raised it to his knees, he was a champion, the equal of the best. And if he raised it to his chest he was a hero, a phenomenon of strength and men talked of him.
It was the rediscovery of this stone that led my guest, David Keohan (@_indiana_stones_) to the rediscovery of 50 plus lifting stones in Ireland that were almost completely lost to time. This is also the stone that was the inspiration for Liam O’Flaherty’s short story titled “The Stone”. Enjoy hearing David’s journey in reclaiming a portion of Ireland’s identity that had been lost. And in a way, you could say that this stone brought back the culture of Irish stonelifting, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things MOUILÍN PORT BHÉAL AN DÚN.
Article: The Quest for the Stone of Inishmore by David Keohan
GoFundMe: Rescue the Pudrac Plinth and Wallace Putting Stone
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“I know what awaits. Death surely looms. This stone will be a testament to my strength.”
These were the words of Norðnástova housemaid Marjun, who fell pregnant out of wedlock at a time when that was punishable by death. Marjun was on her way along Åargil river with the other milkmaids when they came across the stone. She stopped in her tracks and lifted it single-handedly. This story dates back to the 16th century and is now the most famous lifting stone in the Faroe Islands.
Researcher and stonelifter Bjartur Niclasson (@bjartur.leo) joins me to discuss this giant 633 lb slab and how it became so popular. He’s currently working on publishing a book documenting all the research he’s done on Faroese lifting stones, and because of his extensive research, Bjartur shares several other stories tied to Marjunar Hav that aren’t so well known. So sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things MARJUNAR HAV.
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Tune in to an epic discussion featuring some of today’s most prominent stonelifters from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. Join Martin Jancsics (@thestoneman265) David Keohan (@_indiana_stones_) Dave Nisbet (@caveman.daveman) Dale Nisbet (@i_byde_it) Jarrett McPhee (@newenglandstonelifting) Sean Urquhart (@seanurq) Keith Surette (@_fullsterkur_) Tom Billinge (@waryoga) and myself as we gather together and share stories, memories, and our vision for the future of stonelifting and its community.
From inspiring moments to personal reflections on what stonelifting means to each of us (and even a few good laughs), this episode has it all! Enjoy this truly unique opportunity that I had the honor to be a part of.
Thank you to Josh Mackintosh (@nofamegame) for orchestrating this and giving us the space we needed to record.
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After picking up a used book for just $4, author and historian Tom Billinge (@waryoga) stumbled upon the names of four ancient Greek lifting stones, virtually unknown to the modern world. This discovery launched him on a journey across Greece, into the offices of local archaeologists, and even deep into the museum vault.
In this episode, we explore everything from supernatural feats of strength and the healing powers once attributed to Greek gods, to the bureaucratic hurdles Tom overcame to see a stone that probably hadn’t been exposed to daylight since the late 1800s.
If you’re intrigued by tales of quests, ancient mysteries, and hidden treasures, sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things ANCIENT GREEK LIFTING STONES.
Please visit: waryoga.com
Article: Lifting Stones of Ancient Greece by Tom Billinge
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In the Middle Ages, Kirkjubøur was the religious cultural and political center of the Faroe Islands. Bishop Mus imposed heavy taxes on the people in order to build a stone cathedral there and an uprising broke out. The bishop sought to gather a large army with only the strongest men. Only the men who could lift the large stone that lay upon Brynjumannaborð were allowed to join the army.
My guest, Sean Urquhart (@seanurq) has been researching the lifting stones in the Faroe Islands for years and has helped populate the map of that region with his findings. The information he has gathered about this particular stone holds such a prominent place in the islands' history that reenactments are still performed to this day.
Join us as we uncover the compelling details of this civil war, including the formation of the northern army, the impact of the southern revolt on taxation, and the tragic fate of the bishop. If you like tales of strength, rebellion, battles and murder, then sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things BRYNJUMANNABORÐ and the HÁKUNARHAV.
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In the old graveyard in lower Denn, convenient to Drumavaddy Chapel, lies a stone which in former years is supposed to have formed a table or substitute for an altar, on which the priests celebrated Mass in the Penal Days. It was a great feat of strength for the strongest men attending a funeral to try their skill to lift this stone.
My guest, Andy Downes (@handmedownes), shares another incredible story detailing the events that led to the rediscovery of this ancient stone known as the Denn Flagstone (Flag of Denn). Andy goes into great detail about the many uses of this stone, but none more interesting than how the Pagans used it to place a curse upon people.
Join us as we explore the folklore surrounding this stone and determine for yourself what is fact and what could be an exaggeration. Truthfully, it’s all crucial to the history of this stone, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things DENN FLAGSTONE!
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One of the great stone lifters was John Coffey of Scrageen. He used to lift a big flag at Clare Bridge and put it standing on the end of it. Strong men from all parts of the country used to come to try to lift it, but nobody was able to lift it but himself.
My guest, Andy Downes (@handmedownes), is on a mission to lift every historic lifting stone in Ireland, and was at the forefront in rediscovering the John Coffey Stone that was almost lost to time. Andy is also doing some incredible work on social media documenting all types of historic Irish stones and their stories.
Join us as we discuss how the incredible Irish National Folklore Collection led to the location of the Coffey Stone and how discoveries like this are reviving the nation’s past. We also have an exclusive interview with Jon Cegielski (@travel_liftstones_repeat) speaking about his infamous lift of this stone which currently has 41 million views online. All of this and more, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things COFFEY STONE!
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The Fianna Stone, known to locals as the Bodach Craigh, may well be perhaps the oldest remaining test of strength known to man. Local folklore states that those being able to lift the stone would be entitled to lift the heavy spear of Morven and allow them to fight alongside the Fianna warriors.
Joining me to discuss this infamous stone is Dr. Bill Crawford (@doc.roccc). Along with Martin Jancsics (@thestoneman265), Dr. Bill co-authored the book Stonelifting: An Ancient Test of Strength Revived and is also well-known due to his involvement with Rogue Fitness’ (@roguefitness) Scottish heavy athletics as well as their documentary Stoneland.
Join us as we explore everything from the stone’s pre-Celtic origins, its use as a rite of passage into manhood, and the romanticized tales that give it its legendary status and mystique. Dr. Bill also shares the story of another nearby stone that helped end the Black Plague in 664 AD. All of this and more, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things FIANNA STONE!
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In this episode, we dive deep into the history and folklore attached to The Wallace Putting Stone & Plinth in Sheriffmuir, Scotland. Dating back to 1297, this stone is the very object that William Wallace used to train with and display his heroic power.
I am joined by none other than Jamie Gorrian (@bigsexygrandad101) from Alloa, Scotland. Jamie was prominently featured in Maximum Iron’s documentary titled Stones: The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Scottish Stonelifting. He also single handedly repositioned The Wallace Plinth and recreated the Arc of the Seven Stanes; a site mentioned in the Dunblane Traditions by John Monteath in 1887.
Join us as we delve into the backstory of William Wallace and also explore the events surrounding the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Jamie also shares a well known story about a local stone mason that wanted to lift The Wallace Putting Stone and how he achieved his goal. All of this and more awaits, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things WALLACE STONES!
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In this episode, we will be covering the Barevan Stone in Cawdor, Scotland. This stone is unique due to its location in a 14th century churchyard alongside a mysterious open coffin.
I am joined by an extremely special guest: Martin “The Stone Man” Jancsics (@thestoneman265) from Elgin, Scotland. He was prominently featured in Rogue Fitness’s documentary Stoneland and in Maximum Iron’s documentary titled STONES: The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Scottish Stonelifting. Martin was also the first man in modern times to lift the Barevan Stone.
Join us as we spend time exploring the history of the medieval church, as well as the methods of torture used by the clergy and how the Barevan Stone comes into play. Martin also shares an interesting new theory as to the significance of the stone, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things BAREVAN STONE!
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In this debut episode, we will be covering The MacPhee Lifting Stone in Islay, Scotland, exploring the rich history of this location, and uncovering little known facts about Clach MacPhee.
My special guest is New England Stonelifting's own Jarrett McPhee (@newenglandstonelifting) from Rhode Island. He recently visited and lifted this stone a few months ago, becoming the first McPhee in 400 years to accomplish a successful lift.
Jarrett shares information from John Dewar, author of John Dewar's Islay, Jura and Colonsay (https://www.johndewarpublishers.com/john-dewars-islay-jura-and-colonsay/) which covers the incredible story of how The MacPhee Stone became a test of strength. He also gives us an in-depth description of the stone itself and the challenges it presents when attempting a lift. Sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things CLACH MACPHEE!
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Join me, Jonathan "Wulfgar" Shears, every month, as we journey through time discovering and recovering the fables, myths, and legends of ancient stones and stones of strength. This is the StoneLore Podcast!
