Few monuments capture the imagination quite like Stonehenge. This ancient stone circle, standing sentinel on the Salisbury Plain for millennia, has been a source of wonder, mysticism, and controversy. But beyond its archaeological significance lies a lesser-known tale—a story of ownership, ambition, and ultimately, preservation. From the hands of monarchs to the auction block, and finally to its status as a cherished national monument, the journey of Stonehenge’s ownership is as captivating as the stones themselves.

Early Recorded History: The Domesday Book

Our journey through Stonehenge’s ownership begins with one of the most important documents in English history: the Domesday Book. Commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, just two decades after the Norman Conquest, this exhaustive survey of England was designed to record who owned what across the realm.

The Domesday Book provides us with the earliest written record relating to the ownership of the land on which Stonehenge stands. In the survey, the area is listed as part of the estate of Amesbury Abbey. The entry reads:

While Stonehenge itself is not explicitly mentioned—perhaps a surprising omission to modern eyes—this entry establishes that the land was held by the Church, specifically the nuns of Amesbury Abbey. This ecclesiastical ownership would continue for centuries, shaping the monument’s history until the tumultuous events of the 16th century.

The Domesday Book’s record is significant not just for what it tells us, but for what it doesn’t say. The absence of any specific mention of Stonehenge might suggest that, at the time, it was not considered a particularly notable or valuable feature of the landscape. This stands in stark contrast to its later status and to the national treasure it has since become.

Moreover, the Domesday entry provides a glimpse into the medieval landscape surrounding Stonehenge. The mention of ploughs, meadows, pastures, and woodland paints a picture of a working agricultural estate, with the ancient stones standing amid fields and grazing lands.

This early record sets the stage for the centuries of changing ownership that would follow as Stonehenge passed from religious hands to royal control and eventually to private ownership.

King Henry VIII and the Dissolution

Our story takes a dramatic turn in the 16th century, with one of England’s most infamous monarchs: King Henry VIII. In 1540, as part of his sweeping Dissolution of the Monasteries, Henry VIII acquired Stonehenge from Amesbury Abbey. This marked the first time in recorded history that the ancient monument came under direct royal ownership.

The Dissolution, a seismic shift in English society, saw the crown seize vast swathes of monastic lands and properties. Stonehenge, likely viewed more as a curiosity than a prized possession, was swept up in this tidal wave of acquisitions. For Henry, ever the collector of titles and lands, Stonehenge was but one small jewel in an expanding crown.

The Earl of Hertford: A Brief Stewardship

From royal hands, Stonehenge passed to Edward Seymour, the Earl of Hertford. Seymour, brother-in-law to Henry VIII through his sister Jane Seymour, was a man of considerable influence. His acquisition of Stonehenge was likely part of the broader land grants he received as a favoured courtier.

However, Seymour’s fortunes were as changeable as the weather on Salisbury Plain. His time as Lord Protector during the reign of the young Edward VI ended in disgrace and he was eventually executed for treason in 1552. With his fall, Stonehenge once again changed hands, its stones standing impassive witness to the political machinations of Tudor England.

Lord Carleton: A Distinguished Owner

As the 17th century dawned, Stonehenge found itself in the possession of Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury. Cecil, a statesman of renown who served both Elizabeth I and James I, held the monument briefly before it passed to his son, William.

It was William Cecil who, in 1620, sold Stonehenge to Sir Dudley Carleton, 1st Viscount Dorchester. Lord Carleton was a diplomat of considerable skill, serving as ambassador to Venice and the Netherlands. His ownership of Stonehenge, while not marked by any significant developments, added another layer of aristocratic provenance to the monument’s history.

The Marquess of Queensberry: A Pugilistic Connection

In a curious twist of fate, Stonehenge later came into the possession of the Marquess of Queensberry. While the exact date of this transfer is unclear, it adds an intriguing connection to British sporting history. The Marquess of Queensberry is perhaps best known today for lending his name to the Queensberry Rules, which formed the basis of modern boxing.

This association, albeit tangential, serves to highlight the diverse array of characters who have held claim to Stonehenge over the centuries. From kings and statesmen to sporting nobility, the monument has passed through hands as varied as the theories surrounding its original purpose.

The Antrobus Family: Long-Term Stewards

The longest period of private ownership in Stonehenge’s recent history began in 1824 when Sir Edmund Antrobus, 1st Baronet, purchased the monument along with surrounding lands. The Antrobus family would remain stewards of Stonehenge for nearly a century, overseeing a period of increasing public and scholarly interest in the site.

During the Antrobus tenure, Stonehenge began its transformation from a remote curiosity to a site of national importance. The 19th century saw a surge in antiquarian studies, and Stonehenge became a focal point for early archaeological investigations. However, the family’s approach to their ownership was not without controversy.

Sir Edmund Antrobus (3rd Baronet) in particular took a strong stance on his rights as a private property owner. During his lifetime, he steadfastly refused to allow the government agency responsible for the preservation of ancient monuments to even inspect Stonehenge. This decision highlighted the tension between private ownership and public interest in historically significant sites.

Adding to the growing concerns about Stonehenge’s future was a persistent rumour that an anonymous American buyer had expressed interest in purchasing the stones and relocating them to the United States. While the veracity of this claim was never confirmed, it sent shockwaves through British society. The alarming realization was that if Sir Edmund Antrobus had chosen to accept such an offer, there were no legal mechanisms in place to prevent the sale and removal of this ancient monument from British soil.

This rumour, whether founded or not, served as a wake-up call. It underscored the vulnerability of Britain’s ancient heritage sites and the limitations of existing preservation laws. The idea that Stonehenge could potentially be lost to foreign buyers became a rallying cry for those advocating for stronger heritage protection measures.

Despite these controversies, Sir Edmund Antrobus did take some steps towards preservation. Responding to concerns about the site’s condition, he took the unprecedented step of fencing off Stonehenge in 1901. This action, while controversial in its own right, marked the beginning of formal conservation efforts at the monument.

The Antrobus family’s stewardship was indeed fraught with challenges. As public interest in Stonehenge grew, so did concerns about access and preservation. The balance between protecting the ancient stones and allowing public enjoyment was a constant source of debate. Despite these pressures, the Antrobus family maintained their ownership, becoming synonymous with Stonehenge in the public imagination.

However, the family’s connection to Stonehenge was destined to end in tragedy. Sir Edmund Antrobus, 4th Baronet, was killed in action in France in October 1914, early in the First World War. His death not only ended the Antrobus baronetcy but also set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately see Stonehenge change hands for the last time.

The Auction Block: A Monument for Sale

The death of Sir Edmund Antrobus left the Antrobus estate in a precarious financial position. With death duties to pay and no direct heir, the decision was made to sell Stonehenge and its surrounding land. On 21st September 1915, an event occurred that would have been unthinkable just a few years earlier: Stonehenge was put up for auction.

The sale, conducted by Knight, Frank & Rutley at the New Theatre in Salisbury, caused a sensation. The idea that such an important national monument could be sold to the highest bidder sparked intense debate. Newspapers of the day were filled with speculation about potential buyers and the future of Stonehenge.

Adding to the drama was the growing fear that Stonehenge might fall into foreign hands—specifically, American hands. The early 20th century had seen a trend of wealthy Americans purchasing British heritage sites and even, in some cases, physically relocating them to the United States. The most famous example was perhaps London Bridge, which would later be sold and reconstructed in Arizona. The prospect of Stonehenge meeting a similar fate was met with horror by many in Britain.

As the auction approached, there were calls for the government to step in and purchase Stonehenge for the nation. However, with the country in the midst of World War I, such an expenditure was deemed impossible. The fate of Stonehenge would be decided in the auction room.

Enter Cecil Chubb: An Unexpected Savior

On the day of the auction, a crowd gathered at the New Theatre in Salisbury, eager to witness this unprecedented sale. Among them was Cecil Chubb, a local barrister. Chubb, born in Shrewton, Wiltshire, had risen from humble beginnings as the son of a saddler to become a successful lawyer and landowner.

According to popular legend, Chubb had not come to the auction intending to buy Stonehenge. Some accounts suggest he had been sent by his wife to purchase some dining chairs. Whatever the truth of this tale, when Lot 15 – “Stonehenge with about 30 acres, 2 rods, 37 perches of adjoining downland” – came up for bidding, Chubb found himself raising his hand.

The bidding was surprisingly brief. Opening at £5000, it quickly rose to £6000 before Chubb made his decisive bid of £6600 (equivalent to about £680,000 in 2024). With a fall of the auctioneer’s hammer, Cecil Chubb became the last private owner of Stonehenge.

Chubb’s purchase was met with a mix of relief and bemusement. While many were glad that Stonehenge had remained in British hands, questions were raised about the appropriateness of such an important monument being owned by a private individual, no matter how well-intentioned.

A Gift to the Nation

Cecil Chubb’s ownership of Stonehenge was to be short-lived, but profoundly significant. For three years, he held the deed to one of Britain’s most iconic monuments. During this time, he showed himself to be a responsible custodian, allowing archaeological work to continue and maintaining public access.

However, Chubb was acutely aware of the unique responsibility he held. In a remarkable act of generosity, on 26th October 1918, Cecil Chubb formally handed over ownership of Stonehenge to the nation. In a deed of gift, he transferred the monument and surrounding land to Sir Alfred Mond, First Commissioner of Works, to be held “for the benefit of the Nation”.

Chubb’s gift came with three conditions: first, that the public should have free access to the stones; second, that the entrance fee should never be more than one shilling (5p); and third, that no building should ever be erected nearer to the stones than the existing approach road.

For his generosity, Chubb was rewarded with a baronetcy, becoming Sir Cecil Chubb, 1st Baronet of Stonehenge in the Parish of Amesbury in the County of Wiltshire. His coat of arms, fittingly, included a representation of the trilithons of Stonehenge.

Legacy and Reflection

The sale and subsequent gift of Stonehenge to the nation marked a turning point in the monument’s long history. For the first time, Stonehenge was officially recognised as a national asset to be protected and preserved for future generations.

The episode also highlighted changing attitudes towards heritage and conservation in Britain. The public outcry at the prospect of Stonehenge being sold, particularly to foreign buyers, reflected a growing sense of national ownership over historical sites. This sentiment would contribute to the development of more robust heritage protection laws in the following decades.

Cecil Chubb’s role in this drama is particularly noteworthy. His impulse purchase at the 1915 auction could easily have been seen as an act of vanity or speculation. Instead, his decision to gift Stonehenge to the nation just three years later transformed him into an unlikely hero of British heritage conservation.

The story of Stonehenge’s ownership also serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked human stories behind our most ancient monuments. From Henry VIII’s dissolution to Cecil Chubb’s auction bid, Stonehenge has been a silent witness to centuries of British history, its stones passing through the hands of kings, nobles, and statesmen and ending with free public access, for perpetuity. To this day, you can still visit Stonehenge for free, via public footpath. However, I really recommend visiting the centre – free to both English Heritage and National Trust members as the wealth of information and interactive exhibits are a must-see!

Today, Stonehenge stands as it has for millennia, but with a crucial difference. No longer a private estate or a tradeable asset, it belongs to everyone and no one. Managed by English Heritage on behalf of the nation, it continues to inspire wonder and debate, its mysteries still unfolding nearly a century after Cecil Chubb’s remarkable gift.

As visitors from around the world flock to Salisbury Plain, few may be aware of the monument’s journey through private hands. Yet this history – of ownership, threat, and ultimately preservation – is as much a part of Stonehenge’s story as the Neolithic and Bronze Age peoples who first raised its mighty stones.

In the end, the saga of Stonehenge’s ownership is a testament to the enduring power of our shared heritage. It reminds us that even the most ancient of monuments can play a role in shaping our modern concepts of national identity and collective responsibility. From royal estate to national treasure, Stonehenge’s journey through history continues, its stones standing proud under the wide Wiltshire sky, a gift from the past to the future.