With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

'King Arthur' evicted from Stonehenge

A pagan protester named King Arthur has been evicted from Stonehenge after staging a 10 month live-in protest about access rights to the ancient stone circle.

King Arthur Pendragon, a druid formerly known as John Rothwell, set up camp on the edge of the site last June, believing that people should be allowed to walk around and touch the stones, which have been roped off since 1977.

Pendragon, 55, who changed his name by deed poll in 1976, has been living in a caravan on the A344 near Stonehenge since last June.

The former soldier and Hell's Angel has now been banned from entering the site after Wiltshire County Council objected on the ground of trespass and launched legal proceedings.

Mr Pendragon however has refused to accept the ban despite and vowed to maintain his vigil, with the full support of the Council of British Druid Orders. He could face forcible eviction if he fails to leave the site by May 3.

Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)