CoralJackz – That History Couple

Prehistoric Standing stone in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

The 6ft tall stone has inscriptions indicating that it was used in recent centuries as a boundary marker between the parishes of Newport and Llanychlwyddog. It is believed by experts to have been erected in the Bronze Age, but Coflein states that its antiquity is in doubt, due to no records of the stone being found pre-19th century..

Sadly, in 2011 the stone was knocked over after having likely been hit by a vehicle. A small scale excavation took place in 2012 which recovered the base of the stone which has snapped off. Several hammer stones and flakes were found. In 2012, the stone was repaired and set back in it’s original position. According to Dyfed Archaeology, two Bronze Age radiocarbon determinations from charcoal taken from the stone socket provide strong supporting evidence that the stone was erected in the prehistoric period and not moved until hit by the vehicle.

The following is quoted from E.L. Barnwell in Archaeologia Cambrensis, published in 1875 (as well as illustration provided):
“No. 5 was, judging from its form, probably a portion of a cromlech. Its height also (7 feet 6 inches) is one usually found in chambers of moderate dimensions. There are a few small stones near it, but not apparently connected with it, as the land around is full of such stones. It is known as “Bedd Morris”, which Morris or Morus was a notorious robber who lived among the rocks on the summit of the hill commanding the pass ; and which is the old, and was once the only, road to Newport. This man had a little dog trained to fetch the arrows shot as unfortunate wayfarers. The nuisance of this murderous individual was so great that at last the population rose in arms against him, attacked him in his mountain-cave, dragged him down to the place where the stone now stands, and there killed him and buried him.

A similar story is told of another robber who made himself equally obnoxious to the inhabitants of the Vale of Ardudwy in Merioneth. That some outlaw of the name of Morris may have levied black-mail on, or even murdered wayfarers is not impossible ; but that the stone was placed over his grave is improbable, as such erections are rather marks of respect than otherwise. The man may have been put to death and buried near the stone, which is evidently one of the earliest character, and may be one of the groups that existed on the same line of road, the most remarkable part of which is the long line of upright stones called “Parc y Marw” (the field of the dead), described, with its superstition of its “White Lady”, in the Archaeologia Cambrensis of 1868, p.177. Between this line and Bedd Morris a cromlech laid down on the Ordnance Map has been entirely removed, its destruction having been first commenced by Fenton, who seems in his curiosity to have done a great deal of mischief to such remains.” – https://journals.library.wales/view/2919943/3001103/14#?xywh=380%2C335%2C1419%2C3316

There is another legend, which is posted on https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/67775/folklore/bedd-morris?utm_source=chatgpt.com by ‘mountain man’, who I believe is Brian John:

“There are several legends relating to this stone. the best-known is that the stone is effectively a memorial to a young man names Morris who was in love with the maid of Pontfaen, whom he could not marry because of her father’s opposition. there was another suitor, and according to the tale the two suitors fought a duel on the highest point of the road between Pontfaen and Newport. Morris was killed in the duel, after which of course the poor girl also died — of a broken heart.

The other legend is that the robber called Morris (who lived in a cave on the mountain and was always accompanied by a small white dog) was caught and executed here.

According to tradition, the small boys of newport parish are always beaten here (very gently) during the annual “beating of the bounds” ceremony. This is supposed to ensure that they do not forget where the parish boundary is located.”

How to access:

The stone is located next to the car park on Ffordd Bedd Morris. Below is the OS Map Courtesy of Ordnance Survey ©2025 Microsoft – https://www.bing.com/maps/?cp=51.992689%7E-4.856541&lvl=14.7&style=s