Murder stone

[1] They seem to have been erected by prominent local people; religious leaders, landowners and justices of the peace are among those known to have commissioned murder stones.

Others warn unknown perpetrators or those who might consider similar crimes of the consequences of their actions, whether at the hands of the courts or by divine judgement.

[1] The stone at Cadoxton is said to have been placed to face the house of the chief suspect for the crime, who was not brought to justice, and warned, "Although the savage murderer escaped for a season the detection of man yet God hath set his mark upon him either for time or eternity, and the cry of blood will assuredly pursue him to certain and terrible righteous judgement".

[4] Another stone, dated 1817, lays part of the blame with the female victim for having "incautiously repaired to a scene of amusement, without proper protection".

Dickens has the principal character of his work come across the stone at the Devil's Punch Bowl during his journey to London.