FERMANAGH-GOLD-L Archives

From: "Rob D" <>
Subject: The Cursing Stone and the Reivers; ARMSTRONG, GRAHAM, NIXON
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2005 01:57:26 +0000

Hello All,

I thought this may interest you.

Rob Doragh

Liverpool UK

'THE TIMES' Wednesday 9th March 2005 'Cursing' stone left unturned
by council

A council has voted to take a chance on a further outbreak of ill-fortune
and pestilence by refusing to remove a millennium "cursing stone" that some
city folk say has brought them nothing but bad luck.

Since the stone was erected, Carlisle has been afflicted by foot-and-mouth
disease, floods, job losses and sporting failure.

The floods in January were the worst since 1882 and last summer Carlisle
were relegated from the Football League.

The 14-tonne granite slab is inscribed with a 16th century 1,069 word
curse, one of the longest recorded in English.

The curse, known as the "mother of all curses", was read aloud by priests in
every parish in the region in an attempt to curb the rape and pillaging by a
lawless group of families who terrorised the region in the late Middle Ages.

The stone, whch would have cost 7,500 to destroy, is inscribed with the
names of all the families against whom the curse was directed. When it was
installed, the council was warned by Christians and other groups that the
10,000 work of art could bring bad luck.

"We have proven ourselves to be rational people and noit living in medieval
times," Mike Mitchelson, the council leader, said after councillors had
spent nearly an hour debating the removal of the stone.
------------------------------------------------------
The full curse can be read at www.aslansplace.com/pdf/Scottish%20Curse.PDF
If you haven't got Adobe Acrobat then use www.gaddgedlar.com/curse.htm
_______________________________
A quote from aslansplace.com
The stamp of the Reivers is still to be seen on the Border Lands - in it's
architecture, culture and people. From the secretive fortified towns and
farms to names that once struck fear into men's hearts - ARMSTRONGS,
GRAHAMS, KERRS, NIXONS, ROBSONS [my capitals] - the legacy of the Reivers
remains.

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• The Cursing Stone and the Reivers; ARMSTRONG, GRAHAM, NIXON by "Rob D" <>