(NT 7743 0092) Three Kings (OE). (1)

Three standing stones, one large and several small prostrate. Hollow in centre suggests a burial. (2)

The 'Three Kings of Denmark' as they are known locally consist of four irregular shaped pieces of hard sandstone at the corners of a 10 foot square. Three of the stones are upright and about 4ft 6ins high but the fourth has fallen inwards. Treasure seekers have recently dug a hole near the centre of the remains. (3)

A circle of four stones, three upright and one recumbent and partly buried. The diameter of the circle is about 12 feet and an outer periphery of small stones extends for two thirds of the circumference. Probably a burial site. (4)

The site falls within an area of afforested ground, unapproachable from nearby fire breaks, and has not been investigated. The situation is upon a north east facing slope about 200 feet below the summit of Tod Law. The afforestation is part of Blakehope Forest, property of the Forestry Commission. (5)

(Subsequently published) Three Kings (NAT) Stone Circle (NR). (6)

The plantation formerly surrounding the site has recently been felled, revealing the remains of the circle, which consists of four large stones. Three are upright and much weathered, while the fourth is recumbent and partly buried. No trace of an outer circle of small stones is now visible. Within the circle is a rectangular pit, 1.5m x 0.9m and 0.5m deep, doubtless the 'treasure seekers' hole' to which Spain refers. Correctly published on 6 inch. See enlargement and photograph. (7)

Probably belongs to four-poster class of stone circle, most commonly found in Perthshire. South east stone prostrate and 3/4 buried. All the stones are over 3ft high, defining a 12ft square. Tallest stone 4ft 6ins, at north east. No sign of cup marks. Signs of interference within the circle - pit 2ft wide x 1ft deep. (8)

Totally excavated in July 1971. Before excavation it comprised three tall standing stones with a fourth prostrate at the south east corner. Dating from the middle of the second millennium BC. Large untidy pit lay in the centre - early robbing. The prostrate stone was turned over but no cup marks were found. [Full excavation report]. Finds comprised a flint scraper. (9)(10)

NT 774 009 Three Kings stone circle. Excavations in 1971 showed there to have been a pillaged ring-cairn inside it. Probably dates no earlier than the second millennium. (11)

The site was surveyed by Northern Archaeological Associates in October 1994. The ground surface beneath a recently made path was also examined for the presence of any archaeological features; no features were identified. (12)

Scheduled. (13)

Three Kings, Kielder Forest. On a hillside in Forestry Commission land overlooking a valley to the east three stones and one fallen are the weathered remains of a second Four-Poster in Northumberland (see NY 87 SW 18 for the other). These four were set up on the circumference of a circle 4.4m in diameter. The tallest stands 1.4m high at the SSW. From the depth of its hole the long, fallen stone at the ESE, now 2.3m long, would have stood about 1.4m high. The site was excavated by Aubrey Burl in 1971 when a central ruined cairn was found to cover a ransacked pit, in which a solitary flint scraper survived. The name, 'The Three Kings of Denmark', comes from the belief that the stones marked the graves of kings killed in some forgotten battle. Eleven miles to the E is the Five Kings stone row (NT 90 SE 3). The Three Kings Four-Poster is a Bronze Age burial place. (14)