The Rufus Stone

This stone marks the place where the unloved King William Rufus was shot (in error?)  in August 1100 and was carted off to Winchester Cathedral  in the cart of Purkis the charcoal burner.   My husband's surname is Purkis, there are loads Purkises here in the depths of the New Forest, in fact his Father grew up in Winchester so his branch  of the family had not moved far from their ancestor in 900 years.   The extra is the side of the stone bearing his name. If we are in the area  Mr P feels duty bound to make a pilgrimage to visit the stone.

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