Charter Stones

[6] At the Bruce's Well, Kingcase in Prestwick, records describe the Lepers' Charter Stone as being the shape of a sheep's kidney, formed of basalt, blue in colour and as smooth as glass.

Another source states that "... a low character of the name of Allison, who rented a salt-pan in the neighbourhood, about the year 1800 bribed a drunk man, who broke the stone in pieces.

"[9] The Clach na Cudainn (Gaelic for 'stone of the tub') or Charter Stone of Inverness was kept in the market place, set in a frame and bound with iron.

[15] The example at Merthyr Mawr carries the inscription "in grefium in propium" which translates literally as "ownership was registered"[16] and commemorates St Glywys.

[20] Also in Cumbria is the Ca'an Stone in the main street of Kendal, once part of the market cross, but possibly older and once used as a place where proclamations were read.

[24] Records show that before the Norman conquest other items that once belonged to the donor of property were given in lieu of a written charter, such as swords, helmets and especially horns.

[25] Tradition has it that charter stones are sometimes possessed with special powers such as bringing good luck to those who touch them and in some cases they can supposedly cure certain illness, etc.