King Doniert's Stone, St Cleer, United Kingdom

King Doniert's Stone consists of two pieces of a decorated 9th-century cross near St Cleer. The inscription is believed to commemorate Dungarth, King of Cornwall, who died around 875.

The site consists of the remains of two granite cross-shaft fragments dating from the 9th–11th century, and an underground passage and cross-shaped chamber below the crosses, thought to be either the remains of tin workings or a possible oratory. The northern cross, the Doniert Stone, is 1.37 metres high with panels of interlace decoration on three sides and inscription doniert rogavit pro anima carved in half uncial or insular script. The inscription translates as 'Doniert has asked [for this to be made] for his soul['s sake]'.

The inscription is thought to refer to the local ruler Dumgarth (or Dwingarth), who is recorded in the early Welsh chronicle known as the Annales Cambriae as having drowned in around 875 AD. It has a mortise slot and a plinth at the base. It is notable for being the only inscription to a Cornish King also known from documentary sources.

The southern cross, sometimes referred to as the Other Half Stone, is 2.1 metres (6 ft 11 in) high with a panel of interlace decoration on the east face, a broken mortise slot at the top and a plinth at the bottom.

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User Reviews

Schokominza Goldspatz (16 months ago)
If you are in the area, stop there (on the side of the road) and enjoy a quick look into history. The cows nearby are very friendly and will say hello as you visit.

CS R (17 months ago)
Two stones on the roadside! But really interesting history behind it, and worth stopping for a moment if you're passing by anyway. Also, gorgeous landscape all around, but... that's par for the course for most of Cornwall ;)

Graham Eastwood (21 months ago)
Parking for a couple of vehicles away from the road. Not a lot to see or much information regarding why these stones are here and it's layout. But glad to have visited

Victoria Pearce (2 years ago)
Lovely piece of history from the 9th century, we live local so enjoyed coning to see these stones today and there's parking right outside it and some great views

Han Mortimore (4 years ago)
It baffles me how someone could give a place a three or two star review because ‘there is nothing there’. This is a really piece of old Cornish history and it’s great that it is so easily accessible. Much of this history goes unnoticed by many in the Duchy and especially by people behind. It’s great for people to learn from sites like these, small or not. This is a reminder of our Celtic origins.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright diannlroy.com

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