Mên Scryfa stands near the Madron to Morvah road in Cornwall. It stands in the middle of a field.[1] The prehistoric Mên-an-Tol standing stones lie about 300 metres to the south.
Descriptionedit
The stone is 1.7 metres high and roughly rectangular in section, with sides of 0.4 metres by 0.5 metres.[2] The inscription is on the northern face, although the bottom of the inscription is buried in the ground. At one time two plain crosses were said to be viewable at the upper end of the stone. The horizontal axis of the lower cross, is clearly visible but the vertical stroke is very indistinct. The smaller cross above this can no longer be distinguished.[2]
The inscriptionedit
The inscription, in debased Roman capitals, reads "Rialobrani Cunovali fili", which translates as "Rialobranus son of Cunovalus." Rialobran is not known elsewhere, but he may have been a Cornish petty king or tribal leader. Rialobran (or Ryalvran) may be Cornish for "royal raven", whereas Cunovallos may be British for "famous leader" (being cognate to the second element in the surname McConnell), thus the inscription would read "royal raven son of famous leader".[3] Antiquarians, at one time, used to identify Cunovalus with the pre-Roman British king Cunobeline.[4]
Datingedit
The inscription has been dated on stylistic grounds to the 5th to 8th century AD.[2] It is thought, however, that the stone itself could be a prehistoric standing stone.[2]
Historyedit
The antiquarian William Borlase described the stone in 1769: at that time it was lying prostrate on the ground.[2] It was erected in 1825 only to be toppled again in 1849 by treasure hunters.[2] It was lying face down when John Thomas Blight described it in 1861.[5] It was however re-erected in its current position around 1862, the last word of the inscription being buried.[2]
On Thursday 1st June 2023, the stone was vandalised by unknown individuals. The top of the stone was covered in petrol and lit on fire. Additionally, a 4" hole had been dug around the base of the stone. CASPN and police were alerted.[6]
In folkloreedit
A popular tradition stated that a battle was fought nearby, and that Riolbranus was slain and buried at the spot.[5] It was further claimed that the length of the stone (about 9 feet) was the exact height of the warrior.[5]
Possible identificationedit
The genealogist Peter Bartrum records two men with a connection to the area who bear the name "Cynwal", the Brittonic rendering of "Cunovalus": both occur within the same genealogy; one being Cynwal Garnwch, son of Amlawdd Wledig; the other being Amlawdd's father, Cynwal son of Ffrwdwr. As such, Rialobrani (modernised as Rialfran or Rialbran) could either be a cousin to King Arthur as son of Cynwal Garnwch, or his great uncle as son of Cynwal son of Ffrwdwr.[7]
mên, scryfa, needs, mên, scrifa, literally, stone, with, writing, inscribed, standing, stone, cornwall, england, united, kingdom, grid, reference, sw427353, inscription, dating, early, medieval, period, commemorates, rialobranus, cunovalus, illuminated, settin. Men Scryfa needs IPA or Men Scrifa literally stone with writing is an inscribed standing stone in Cornwall England United Kingdom grid reference SW427353 The inscription dating to the early medieval period commemorates Rialobranus son of Cunovalus Men ScryfaMen Scryfa illuminated by the setting sun Shown within Southwest CornwallLocationCornwallCoordinates50 09 44 N 5 36 12 W 50 162238 N 5 603314 W 50 162238 5 603314TypeStanding stoneHistoryPeriodsEarly middle ages Contents 1 Location 2 Description 3 The inscription 4 Dating 5 History 6 In folklore 7 Possible identification 8 References 9 External linksLocation editMen Scryfa stands near the Madron to Morvah road in Cornwall It stands in the middle of a field 1 The prehistoric Men an Tol standing stones lie about 300 metres to the south Description editThe stone is 1 7 metres high and roughly rectangular in section with sides of 0 4 metres by 0 5 metres 2 The inscription is on the northern face although the bottom of the inscription is buried in the ground At one time two plain crosses were said to be viewable at the upper end of the stone The horizontal axis of the lower cross is clearly visible but the vertical stroke is very indistinct The smaller cross above this can no longer be distinguished 2 The inscription editThe inscription in debased Roman capitals reads Rialobrani Cunovali fili which translates as Rialobranus son of Cunovalus Rialobran is not known elsewhere but he may have been a Cornish petty king or tribal leader Rialobran or Ryalvran may be Cornish for royal raven whereas Cunovallos may be British for famous leader being cognate to the second element in the surname McConnell thus the inscription would read royal raven son of famous leader 3 Antiquarians at one time used to identify Cunovalus with the pre Roman British king Cunobeline 4 Dating editThe inscription has been dated on stylistic grounds to the 5th to 8th century AD 2 It is thought however that the stone itself could be a prehistoric standing stone 2 History editThe antiquarian William Borlase described the stone in 1769 at that time it was lying prostrate on the ground 2 It was erected in 1825 only to be toppled again in 1849 by treasure hunters 2 It was lying face down when John Thomas Blight described it in 1861 5 It was however re erected in its current position around 1862 the last word of the inscription being buried 2 On Thursday 1st June 2023 the stone was vandalised by unknown individuals The top of the stone was covered in petrol and lit on fire Additionally a 4 hole had been dug around the base of the stone CASPN and police were alerted 6 In folklore editA popular tradition stated that a battle was fought nearby and that Riolbranus was slain and buried at the spot 5 It was further claimed that the length of the stone about 9 feet was the exact height of the warrior 5 Possible identification editThe genealogist Peter Bartrum records two men with a connection to the area who bear the name Cynwal the Brittonic rendering of Cunovalus both occur within the same genealogy one being Cynwal Garnwch son of Amlawdd Wledig the other being Amlawdd s father Cynwal son of Ffrwdwr As such Rialobrani modernised as Rialfran or Rialbran could either be a cousin to King Arthur as son of Cynwal Garnwch or his great uncle as son of Cynwal son of Ffrwdwr 7 References edit nbsp Cornwall portal Bernard Deacon 2010 Exploring Cornwall s Past page 56 ISBN 0906720729 a b c d e f g MEN SCRYFA Pastscape retrieved 9 November 2013 Tom Clare 1982 Archaeological sites of Devon and Cornwall page 24 ISBN 0861900588 William Henry Kearley Wright 1886 The Western Antiquary Volume 5 page 68 a b c John Thomas Blight 1861 A Week at the Land s End pages 19 21 Morris Jonathan Cornwall standing stone Men Scryfa set alight BBC News Retrieved 6 June 2023 Bartrum Peter C 1 January 1983 A Welsh Classical Dictionary PDF National Library of Wales p 209 ISBN 978 0907158738 External links edithttps www library wales discover digital gallery printed material a welsh classical dictionary 50 09 44 N 5 36 12 W 50 162238 N 5 603314 W 50 162238 5 603314 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Men Scryfa amp oldid 1169314253, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
