This game of _putting the stone_, is of the highest antiquity, and seems to have been common at one period to the whole of England, although subsequently confined to the Northern counties, and to Scotland. Fitzstephen enumerates casting of stones among the amusements of the Londoners in the 12th century, and Dr Pegge, in a note on the passage, calls it “a Welch custom.” The same sport is mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth, among the diversions pursued at King Arthur’s feast, as will appear in a subsequent note (l. 2320). By an edict of Edward III. the practice of casting stones, wood, and iron, was forbidden, and the use of the bow substituted, yet this by no means superseded the former amusement, which was still in common use in the 16th century, as appears from Strutt’s _Popular Pastimes_, Introd. pp. xvii, xxxix, and p. 56, sq. In the Highlands this sport appears to have been longer kept up than in any other part of Britain, and Pennant, describing their games, writes, “Those retained are, throwing the _putting-stone_, or stone of strength (_Cloch neart_) as they call it, which occasions an emulation who can throw a weighty one the farthest.” _Tour in Scotl._ p. 214. 4to. 1769. See also _Statist. Account of Argyleshire_, xi. 287. In the French Romance of Horn, preserved in MS. Harl. 527, is almost a similar incident to the one in Havelok, and would nearly amount to a proof, that Tomas, the writer of the French text of Horn, was an Englishman. In the Romance of _Octovian Imperator_ it is said of Florent, At _wrestelyng_, and at _ston castynge_ He wan the prys, without lesynge; Ther n’as nother old ne yynge So mochell of strength, That myght the ston to hys _but_ bryng, Bi fedeme lengthe. --l. 895. It is singular enough, that the circumstance of Havelok’s throwing the stone, mentioned in the Romance, should have been founded on, or preserved in, a local tradition, as attested by Robert of Brunne, p. 26. Men sais in Lyncoln castelle ligges ȝit a stone, That Hauelok kast wele forbi euerilkone. 1077-1088. _The king Athelwald_, &c. Comp. the Fr. text, ll. 354-370. Quant Ekenbright le roi fini, En ma garde sa fille mist; Vn serement iurer me fist, Q’au plus fort home le dorroie, Qe el reaume trouer porroie. Assez ai quis & demandé, Tant q’en ai vn fort troué; Vn valet ai en ma quisine, A qui ieo dorrai la meschine; &c. 1103. _After Goldeborw_, &c. Comp. the Fr. l. 377. Sa niece lur fet amener, Et a Cuaran esposer; Pur lui auiler & honir, La fist la nuit lez lui gesir. The French Romance differs here very considerably from the English, and in the latter, the dream of Argentille, her visit to the hermit, and the conversation relative to Havelok’s parents, is entirely omitted.