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Topic: Toad stone

Caliburnus
Member
Member # 11

posted 02-21-2002 09:05 PM

I have (in my capacity as a first year geology student) been asked by one of the memebers of my group if i know anything about a medevial stone known as "toad stone"
it was apparently considered lucky, and may have featured lots of fossils. It may well have been used in charms of some kind

I was wondering if anyone else had come across any references that might allow me to identify this random rock...

The reference we have is C.14th but any date considered!

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For God, King and Lancaster

Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

NEIL G
Member
Member # 187

posted 02-22-2002 02:57 AM

Mornin'

Isn't it a close relative of the famous blue stone of Thanet, which is as blue as the infanta of spain's eyes....

(Sorry, blackadder joke)

More seriously, there is a later account of a "toad stone" which was supposedly hollow and when cracked open, was found to have a live toad inside it. It was exhibited in one of the london museums of curiosities (don't ask me which one - the egyptian museum, I think) up to the end of the eighteenth century.

Don't know if that is any relative of your "Toad stone", but thought you might find it useful anyway.

Neil

Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

J.K. Vernier
Member
Member # 123

posted 02-22-2002 11:13 AM

Sorry I'm writing off the cuff here - I know I've got a reference somewhere and will post it when it turns up. I understand Toadstones survive which are actually fossilized sharks teeth, although they were said to have been removed from the head of a toad. I know I have seen a toadstone charm ring.

Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Caliburnus
Member
Member # 11

posted 02-22-2002 02:07 PM

Cheers...

Hmmm stuff to research!

Now i just gotta find out WHY that want to know!

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For God, King and Lancaster

Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

J.K. Vernier
Member
Member # 123

posted 02-22-2002 02:17 PM

Got it. This is from the British Museum Guide to the Medieval Room, 1907:
"Under magical rings can be included those set with 'toadstones.' These are really the palatal teeth of the fossil ray, but were popularly believed to be stones taken out of toads' heads. Some existing examples are ascribed to the fifteenth century, and in the inventory of the Duc de Berri (d. 1416) there is mention of a 'crapaudine' set in a golden ring. They were supposed to protect new-born children from the power of fairies; and water in which they had been immersed was considered a specific against diseases of the kidneys. The superstition as to the power of toadstones persisted down to modern times: Joanna Baillie, in a letter to Sir Walter Scott, refers to a ring in posession of her mother which was frequently borrowed on the occasion of births in neighbors' families."

The salisbury Museum catalogue also includes 2 toadstone rings, probably 16th century. The cataloger remarks that they were considered to protect the wearer from poison. All of the rings illustrated show large oval cabachon settings; evidently the fossil tooth was ground to shape. One ring is also set with red stones, possibly in immitation of coral, which was also believed to protect children and women in childbirth.

Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Caliburnus
Member
Member # 11

posted 02-22-2002 02:27 PM

perfect!!!!

Thanks a bunch!

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For God, King and Lancaster

Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

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