Uses

Was it a fertility symbol? Fantastic as some of these theories may sound, there must be some explanation.

The name “Rudston” would appear to derive from the word “Rood” meaning “cross” and “ston” meaning stone and this would suggest that the stone at one time had a cross-head fixed to it, reinforcing the theories of religious origin. It is suggested that a cross must have existed or even been placed on the stone by Anglo-Saxon missionaries.