A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
September 2, 2025
Reverend Bray’s Inscribed Stones and Boulders around the Cowsic Valley and at Beardown Farm
The story behind the 25 unusually inscribed stones and boulders with Druidical Bardic inscriptions and dedications to poets from the romantic ages around the Cowsic Valley and at Beardown Farm centres around Edward Atkyns Bray (1778-1857), who in later life became perhaps the more well known Rev. Bray. He was born in Tavistock and was the only son of Edward (Snr) and spent his summers of his formative years exploring the Beardown Farm estate and surrounding area due to the fact that Edward (Snr), a solicitor and, until his death in 1826, managed the Westcountry estates of the Duke of Bedford which included Beardown Farm.
After leaving his privileged private education in 1796, a 19 year old Edward threw himself into his love of poetry (Dell 2024) and it was at this time he carved (or at least had carved by a mason), one could describe as whimsical dedications to poets, playwrights, lyricists and authors who spanned from Roman times through to the 18th century. The Bray family had money and probably Edward (Snr) just ‘went along with’ his sons plans, ideas and possibly dreams to have the carvings done. The stones and boulders carved with dedications to the poets (20 in total) were probably completed between 1796 and 1801 because, in 1802 Bray mentions them in the past tense in his journal (Dell 2024). A 20th inscribed dedication to a poet was added a century later by a visitor to Beardown Farm
When Bray in 1801 became a student at the Middle Temple (being called to the bar in 1806), it is possible that he became interested in, perhaps besotted by, Druids and it is possible that the additional stones / boulders on an island in the Cowsic (which became known as Isle of Mona) were inscribed with bardic characters from this time. Indeed, Bray’s journal, post 1801, mentions the possibility of inscribing two rocks on an island in the Cowsic stream in the ‘bardic’ characters (Dell 2024).
The stones and boulders carved might be considered as vandalism in modern times, but back at the turn of the 18th century provided you had money and did not offend the Duchy of Cornwall, it would seem anything was possible. The carvings represent only approx one-third of what Bray had planned or intended, which were to extend beyond the Cowsic Valley and Beardown Farm. Imagine !
The author would like to give grateful thanks to Simon Dell, for guiding him to visit all the carvings, sharing his passion for them and providing extensive background information to them, some of which is summarised here. There have been numerous articles, books, papers, periodicals and website entries published concerning these carvings over the years, indeed centuries. However, the author found that perhaps the most comprehensive and easiest to read history and background to the carvings can be found in a paper written by Simon and published for the Devonshire Association in November 2024 (ref: Rep. Trans. Devon. Ass. Advmt Sci., 156, 88–121)
Access to these inscribed stones / boulders is limited as around half of them are within the private land of Beardown Farm and, as such, no public right of way exists without permission from the farmer. However, there is a public footpath through the fields and woods beside the Cowsic, leading to the Beardown bridge, where a few of these boulders, in the shadow of the bridge and can been found.
Bibliography
Simon Dell MBE (2024) – The Reverend Bray’s Inscribed Boulders on Western Dartmoor – Trans. Devon. Ass. Advmt Sci., 156, 88–121; The Devonshire Association
Simon Dell MBE – Pers. Conv
Edward Atkyns Bray (1844) – Legends, Superstitions and Sketches of Devonshire on the Borders of the Tamar and the Tavy, A. K. Newman & Co., London.
Eric Hemery (1983) – High Dartmoor, pages 388, 396 and 397.
This sketch map (based on one created by Simon Dell), shows all the locations of the Bray inscribed stones and boulders around Beardown Farm and the River Cowsic. Note that stones 1-12 are accessible without permission, but 13-25 are on private land and required permission for access. The names Isle of Mona, Merlin’s Cave and Isle of Vectis were by Bray and not part of any map, past or presentThe inscribed stones 1-4 around the Isle of Mona comprise a couplet (1), two Bardic Runes (2,3) in Sprig Alphabet and a single phrase (4) about mythical water spirits and nymphs. In Rev Bray’s journal in 1802 he discussed the possibility of inscribing two rocks on an island in the Cowsic which he called the Isle of Mona (the Welsh name Yns Môn being given to the Isle of Anglesey). Inscribed stone 1 : ‘Sweet Poesy Fair Fancy’s Child, Thy smiles imparadise the wild’. This was inscribed around the turn of the 18th Century.Collage of pictures of Inscribed Stone 1 with the author and friends during a guided tour of the stones with Simon DellOn the reverse of Inscribed Stone 1 is another inscription, which states: ‘This stone was removed by a flood 1707’The inscription on the reverse side of stone 1 : “This stone was / moved by a flood / 1707” picked out by snow. The adding of snow and the image was done by Eric Hemery and can be found in High Dartmoor, page 388. Hemery states that when Worth photographed the stone read as follows: “This stone was / removed by a flood / 17”, which is subtly different from the snowy picture with the word ‘moved’ having ‘re’ added in front and an ’07’ added after ’17’ to make 1707. According to Worth, Edward Bray Jr was responsible for the inscription sometime after the event (Hemery, pages 396/7)In Rev Bray’s journal in 1802 he discussed the possibility of inscribing two rocks on an island in the Cowsic stream in the ‘bardic’ characters. The bardic characters, Bray explained, were those of the ‘sprig-alphabet’ as it had been recorded by the Rev. Edward ‘Celtic’ Davies (1804, 1809) in his monographs. The sprig-alphabet is shown in the picture above, inscribed on a wooden plaque created by Simon DellBardic Rune on the Island of Mona (ref: Inscribed Stone 2). This is the ‘Adore the Gods’ stone written in the sprig-alphabetThis stone is actually upside-down from its position when it was inscribed, thought probably to have flipped over as a result of the the great flood of 1890This picture of Inscribed Stone 2 is courtesy of Simon Dell after being ‘peat painted’ by him and his grandson in summer 2022Translation from the sprig alphabet of Inscribed Stone 2 (note: the picture has been flipped) – the triad is attributed to Diogenes MaertiusInscribed Stone 2 (right) – ‘Adore the Gods….’ and Inscribed Stone 3 (left) – ‘Souls Immortal….’ Picture courtesy of Simon Dell after ‘peat painting’ in summer 2022‘Adore the Gods….’ and ‘Souls Immortal….’ taken in summer 2025‘Souls Immortal….’ taken in summer 2025Close up of ‘Soul’s Immortal….’ after some cleaning in summer 2025The ‘Soul’s Immortal….’ inscription picked out by a mixture of peat and water in summer 2022. Picture is courtesy of Simon Dell with thanksTranslation from the sprig alphabet of Inscribed Stone 2: “The souls immortal then be brave / Nor seek thay coward life to save / But hail the life beyond the grave” – the triad is attributed to MelaThere were three more triads planned by the Reverend Bray for his ‘druidical landscape’. It is not known why these were not inscribed (ref: Simon Dell’s paper ; Rep. Trans. Devon. Ass. Advmt Sci., 156, 88–121 – The Devonshire Association, November 2024)Druidical and other inscriptions planned as recorded by Bray (1844) – ref: Legendary DartmoorInscribed Stone 4 – Ye Naiads Venera on the eastern end of the Isle of MonaThe ‘Naiads’ were the mythical water spirits and nymphs. Rev Bray appears to be inviting them (Naiads) to come into the valleyThis boulder had been intended to be inscribe with: ‘Ye Naiads! venerate the swain, Who join’d the Dryads to your train’ (ref: Simon Dell’s paper ; Rep. Trans. Devon. Ass. Advmt Sci., 156, 88–121, The Devonshire Association, November 2024)Merlin’s Cave (or Grotto) near the Isle of Mona. On a rock here, which Bray may have considered as his tomb, he had intended to inscribe : ‘These mystic letters would you know, Take Merlin’s wand that lies below‘. This inscription never came about (ref: Simon Dell)Merlin’s Cave is a jumble of rocks. In recent times, it has become know as Cowsic TorThe above inscriptions were intended to be inscribed as a tribute to Bray’s father (ref: Mrs Bray’s accounts in her ‘Borders of the Tamar and the Tavy’ (Bray, 1844, pp 78–89)The above inscriptions were planned for other rocks around the Cowsic (ref: Legendary Dartmoor / Bray (1844, pp 78 – 89))Below Merlin’s Cave (Grotto) and Bairdown Bridge is this rather magnificent clapper bridge, which is a relic of Medieval travel. The bridge is a true cleaca (ie clapper) insofar as the stepping stones here, which are of great antiquity have been used as the bases for the ‘twin’ piers between them. The original construction was washed away during the great flood of 1873. The bridge was rebuilt. In 1890, the clapper bridge was further damaged. William Crossing (1912) records that the DPA (Dartmoor Preservation Association) restored it. The clapper has five openings and lies on an ancient east-west packhorse trackThe above inscriptions were planned for other rocks around the Cowsic(k) – (ref: Legendary Dartmoor / Bray (1844, pp 78 – 89))The above inscriptions were planned for other rocks around the Cowsic (ref: Legendary Dartmoor / Bray (1844, pp 78 – 89)). Some were planned for Isle of Mona, where 4 inscriptions were completed, already covered in this post. Others were planned for the Isle of Mona, downstream from Beardown (Bairdown) Bridge – see sketch in this post.Around Beardown (Bairdown) Bridge there are 7 inscribed stones as summarised in the above table. They are annotated 5 through 11. Beardown (Bairdown) Bridge – in order to access Inscribed Stones 5 ‘To Collins’ and 6 ‘To Beattie’ passing under the bridge is necessary, where there is a raised stone walkway which is usually above the water level. This bridge was rebuilt in 1890. The eminent Dartmoor photographer Robert Burnard had taken photographs of the original destroyed bridge (on 23rd July 1890, just 6 days after its demise), but the author has been unable to track down any of these.Inscribed Stone 5 – Dedication ‘To Collins’ – Located on the west (upstream) side of Bairdown BridgeThe dedication was possibly to William Collins (25 December 1721 – 12 June 1759) an English poet. It was never carved in full and should have had the following couplet: “In orient climes let lawless passions rove, Blest be these plains with friendship and love”.Inscribed Stone 5 – Dedication ‘To Beattie’ – Located on the west (upstream) side of Bairdown Bridge near to ‘To Collins’The dedication was possibly to James Beattie (25 October 1735 – 18 August 1803) a Scottish poet, moralist, and philosopher.The Robert Burnard photograph of the original Beardown (Bairdown) Bridge from July 1888. This bridge had been built by Mr Edward Bray (father of the Rev. Edward Atkyns Bray), who was the manager of the Duke of Bedford’s west country estates. He had enclosed Beardown Farm in 1780. Note the inscription ‘To Spencer’The inscription ‘To Spencer’ taken from the same location as the Burnard photograph from 1888. There is a greater tree canopy and, of course the bridge is a different one as it was rebuilt in 1890Inscribed Stone 7 – Dedication ‘To Spencer’ (possibly mis-spelt – Spenser with a 2nd ‘s’, not a ‘c’). The dedication was possibly to Edmund Spenser (c. 1552 – 13 January 1599 an English poet best known for ‘The Faerie Queene’, an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I . It was never carved in full and should have had the following couplet: “The shepherd, taught by thine instructive rhyme ,Learns from thy calendar to husband time”.Inscribed Stone 8 – Dedication ‘To Thomson’Inscribed Stone 8 dedication was possibly to James Thomson (c. 11 September 1700 – 27 August 1748) who was a Scottish poet and playwright, known for his poems ‘The Seasons’ and ‘The Castle of Indolence’ , and for the lyrics of ‘Rule Britannia!” . It was never carved in full and should have had the following couplet: “To Nature’s votaries shall thy name be dear, Long as the seasons lead the changeful year.”Cleaning the ‘To Burns’ dedication (Inscribed Stone 9) in summer 2025Inscribed Stone 9 – Dedication ‘To Burns’Inscribed Stone 9 was to Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), who was also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns and was a Scottish poet and lyricist. Robert Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. This stone was never carved in full and should have had the following couplet: “Long as the moon shall shed her sacred light, Thy strain, sweet bard, shall cheer the Cotter’s night”.Inscribed Stone 10 – Dedication ‘To Shakespeare’Inscribed Stone 10 dedication was (of course) to William Shakespeare(c. 23 April 1564– 23 April 1616)who was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. It was never carved in full and should have had the following couplet: “To thee, blest bard, man’s veriest heart was known, Whate’er his lot — a cottage or a throne”Inscribed Stone 11 – Dedication ‘To Milton’Cleaning the ‘To Milton’ inscribed stoneInscribed Stone 11 dedication was to John Milton (9 December 1608 – 8 November 1674) who was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant. He is most known for his 1667 epic poem ‘Paradise Lost’. Finishing touches to the cleaning of the ‘To Milton’ dedicationThe above dedication inscription were also planned by Bray (ref: Legendary Dartmoor / Bray (1844, pp 78 – 89)). One assume ‘To Boadicea’ refers to Boudica, Boudicca or Boudicea who was a queen of the ancient British Iceni tribe, who led a failed uprising against the conquering forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61. She is considered a British national heroine and a symbol of the struggle for justice and independence.North of Beardown (Bairdown) Bridge there are another 5 inscribed stones as summarised in the above table. They are annotated 12 through 16. Inscribed Stone 12 ‘To Augustus’ is the last stone located on public access land. It is located between the River Cowsic and the fenceline of Beardown FarmThe author believes this was a dedication either to a Roman poet or (less likely) to Augustus, aka Octavian (Latin: Octavianus), who was the founder of the Roman EmpireInscribed Stone 13 is a dedication ‘To Horace’, a Roman poet. Quintus Horatius Flaccus (8 December 65 BC – 27 November 8 BC),was commonly known in the English-speaking world as Horace and was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus. This is the first of another 12 stones (annotated 13-25) which are all within the non-public access private land of Beardown Farm. Permission needs to be sought for any visit)Inscribed Stone 13 – This stone appears to have had a section removed by 19th century quarrymen and may have had an additional inscription – note the drill holeClose up of the inscription ‘To Horace’. It is barely discernible in low lightThe location of the inscription ‘To Horace’The ‘To Horace’ dedication enhanced with some peat painting courtesy of West Devon Home School Education Group in August 2025Inscribed Stone 14 – a dedication ‘To Atticus’. There are many possibilities as to who Atticus was. It may refer to a character in Cicero’s ‘De Legibus’. Alternatively, it could refer to: •Dionysius Atticus, a rhetorician of the 1st century BC from Pergamon •Vipsanius Atticus, also a rhetorician of the 1st century BC from Pergamon, who may or may not be the same person as Dionysius Atticus •Curtius Atticus, companion of the Roman emperor Tiberius •Atticus (philosopher) c. A.D 175), Platonist philosopher and author of lost Platonic commentary •Titus Pomponius Atticus (112/109 – 35/32 BC), ancient Roman littérateur, philosopher, and correspondent with CiceroInscribed Stone 14 full inscription is : ‘To Atticus. Far from the forum’s noisy strife, Thou lovedet [sic] to spend thy rural life’.Inscribed Stone 14 with peat painted makeover showing the full inscription – courtesy of West Devon Home School Education GroupThe additional peat painted pony is a great piece of artistic licence by the West Devon Home School Education GroupInscribed Stone 15 – a dedication ‘To Varro’This dedication probably to Marcus Terentius Varro (116–27 BCE) who was a Roman polymath and a prolific author. He is regarded as ancient Rome’s greatest scholar and was described as “the third great light of Rome” (after Virgil and Cicero)‘To Varro’ was never carved in full – it should also have had the following couplet: “Thy Patriot virtue taught the happier son To turn the soil his father’s falchion won”Peat painting to enhance the inscription. Once again courtesy of the West Devon Home School Education GroupInscribed Stone 16 – a dedication ‘To Cicero’, who it is believed refers to Marcus Tullias Cicero (3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) who was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, orator, writer and Academic skeptic The full inscription of Inscribed Stone 16 is ‘To Cicero, Tho’ named the father of imperial Rome, yet was they Tusculum thy favourite home’The inscription on stone 16 is discernible in good lightPeat painting to enhance the inscription by the West Devon Home School Education GroupThe above 12 dedications were never carved. It is unimaginable the effort and of course the stones required to complete theseIn another (overgrown) field of Beardown Farm on private land these final nine inscriptions can be foundInscribed Stone (ref 17) – a dedication ‘To Gessner’ believed to be for Salomon Gessner (1 April 1730 – 2 March 1788) who was a Swiss painter, graphic artist, government official, newspaper publisher, and poet, best known in the latter instance for his Idylls. He was a co-founder of the Helvetic Society (a patriotic society and the first Swiss reform society).The stone with two dedications – ‘To Gessner’ and ‘To Virgil’ . Note the high vegetation, which in 2022 had completely engulfed the stone The full inscription is : ‘To Gessner, Helvetia’s frowning, rocks so wild, were softened at thy, strains and smiles’The stone showing ‘To Gessner’ (ref 17) and ‘To Virgil’ (ref 18). The full (Virgil) inscription reads : ‘To Virgil Bid cease they trumpet, sing not here of arms, But tune thy reed to nature’s, peaceful charms’This dedication with a couplet was to Publius Vergilius Maro (15 October 70 BC – 21 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil in English. He was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He composed three of the most famous poems in Latin literature, namely: the Eclogues (or Bucolics), the Georgics and the epic AeneidAnother view of ‘To Gessner’ and ‘To Virgil’Inscribed Stone (ref 19) – a dedication ‘To Theocritus’This dedication with a couplet is to Theocritus (aka Theokritos) – (born c. 300 BC, died after 260 BC) who was a Greek poet from Sicily and who was the creator of Ancient Greek pastoral poetryThe full inscription reads: ‘To Theocritus, Thou bidst, sweet bard, to fancy’s wondr’ing eyes, mid British wilds Sicillian groves arise’Inscribed Stone (ref 20) – Dedication ‘To Bonarelli’The dedication might relate to Count Guidobaldo Bonarelli (1563–1608)Inscribed Stone (ref 21) – Dedication ‘To Guarini’Dedication to Giovanni Battista Guarini (10 December 1538 – 7 October 1612) who was an Italian poet, dramatist, and diplomat.Stone inscription (ref 22) – dedication ‘To Tasso’ with a couplet. Torquato Tasso (11 March 1544 – 25 April 1595) was an Italian poet of the 16th century, known for his 1581 poem Gerusalemme liberate (Jerusalem Delivered). He was to be crowned as the king of poets by Pope Clement VIIIThe full inscription reads: ‘To Tasso, Neer be it mine Armidia’s arts to prove, but like Aminta share fond Silvia’s love’Inscription (ref 23) is a dedication ‘To Ramsay’The dedication was probably for Allan Ramsay (15 October 1686 – 7 January 1758) who was a Scottish poet, playwright, publisher, librarian and impresario of early Enlightenment EdinburghThe stones ‘To Tasso’ (background) and ‘To Ramsay’ (foreground). In the far background, on the right is the stone with the ‘To Gessner’ and ‘To Virgil’ inscriptionsThe author cleaning the ‘To Sidney’ (ref 24) inscriptionThis dedication is probably for Sir Philip Sidney (30 November 1554 – 17 October 1586) who was an English poet, courtier, scholar and soldier who is remembered as one of the most prominent figures of the Elizabethan ageNext to the ‘To Sidney’ inscription (ref 24) is another ‘To Carlyle’ (ref 25)The ‘To Carlyle’ inscription was not one of Bray’s creations. It was inscribed in the early 20th century (possibly circa 1906) by a visitor to Beardown Farm. The font is distinctly different to that of ‘To Sidney’ and the othersThis dedication probably relates to Thomas Carlyle (4 December 1795 – 5 February 1881) who was a Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher who was known as the “sage of Chelsea”, his writings strongly influenced the intellectual and artistic culture of the Victorian era. Carlyle would have only been a few years old when Bray started his inscriptionsAnother series of dedications (17 in total) which never got off the drawing boardIt would seem that Bray had designs on inscribing stones in Wistman’s Wood – it is unimaginable to think what would have happened had this gone ahead
