King Doniert's Stone, St Cleer (Cornwall)

Two richly carved pieces of a 9th-century 'Celtic' cross.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

Two richly carved pieces of a 9th-century 'Celtic' cross, with an inscription commemorating Dumgarth, British King of Dumnonia, who drowned in c. AD 875.
 

History to the present day

The Doniert Stone is also known as King Doniert’s Stone and is one of two ancient carved stones which stand together. They are located on the south-eastern side of Bodmin Moor. Both stones are parts of early mediæval crosses, dating as far back as the late 9th century.

The Doniert Stone is the embellished pedestal for a large memorial cross and panelled on all four sides. It has a mortice cut into the top most probably to take a cross shaft and cross-head. Three sides of the stone are carved with interlaced patterns while the fourth is inscribed with the name of the last recorded Cornish King. The engraving states “Doniert rogavit pro anima” which translates as “Doniert begs prayers for the sake of his soul”. Documentary sources refer to a King Dumgarth who drowned around AD 875 and is often identified with Doniert.

Both the stones, as they can now be seen are only small fragments of original stone crosses. There can be no doubt that when first constructed, these were very impressive monuments. If the presumption that the Doniert Stone commemorates a Cornish King is correct, one can only speculate on its purpose. The stones is located beside a track only 12 miles from Hingston Down where in 838 the Anglo-Saxon King Edgar had defeated a combined force of Danes and Cornish, thus decisively bringing Cornwall under English control. 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: King Doniert's Stone, Cornwall, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

All year

Any reasonable time

Mon - Sun

 

Admission prices:

 

Adult:Free

Children:Free

Concession:Free

 

 

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photographic Library.