Satan Frightening A Man For Gathering Nuts On Sunday
In his ‘Welsh-folklore’ (1887) Elias Owen tells the following tale related to him by Rev. W. E. Jones, rector of Bylchau, near Denbigh:—
Category: Welsh Folktales
The Devil Appearing To A Dissenting Minister At Denbigh
“The Rev. Mr. Thomas Baddy, who lived in Denbigh Town, and was a Dissenting Minister in that place, went into his study one night, and while he was reading or writing, he heard some one behind him laughing and grinning at him, which made him stop a little—as well indeed it might.
The Devil’s Tree, Llanrhos
The following account entitled ‘The Devil’s Tree by Eglwys Rhos’ appeared in Elias Owen’s ‘Welsh Folk-lore’ (1887). ‘At the corner of the first turning after passing the village of Llanrhos*, on the left hand side, is a withered oak tree, called by the natives of those parts the Devil’s Tree, and it was thought to be haunted, and therefore the young and timid were afraid to pass it
Satan At Work Near Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn
Elias Owen gives the following account of a series of disturbing experiences that befell a Sabbath breaker in his 1887 book ‘ Welsh folk-lore: a collection of the folk-tales and legends of North Wales’. The account relates to the experiences of one William Davies and was given to Owen by the late Rev. J. L.
St Digain’s Church, Llangernyw
St Digain’s Church in Llangerny has a unique living ancient monument, a male yew tree that is possibly aged 4000 to 5000 years making it one of the oldest living organisms in the world. There is also a tradition associated with the church and All Hallows Eve when a spirit would reputedly announce the names of those about to die from the altar.
Capel Garmon Church
There have been a series of churches in Capel Garmon, the latest of which is the now closed, this being St Garmon’s Church that was built in 1862. In his ‘Welsh folk-lore’ (1887) Elias Owen recounts the following legend he heard pertaining to the church in Capel Garmon from his friend Rev. Owen Jones of Pentrevoelas.
St Gwynog’s Church, Aberhafesp
St Gwynog’s Church in Aberhafesp currently dates from 1857 when the earlier church was rebuilt. Though the first parish registers date from 1578, there are records of a church here in Aberhafesp dating back to 1254. The church is dedicated to the 6th century Gwynog (Born 511 – Died 580), the son of Gildas.
Rhyd-y-Cae Bridge, Pentrefoelas
There is a legend associated with Rhyd-y-Cae Bridge where a local man was enticed into a game of cards with Satan himself. The following account of the story appeared in Elias Owen’s ‘Welsh folk-lore’ (1887).
Llangar Church, Corwen
The white washed Llangar Church can be found about a mile from Corwen and can be dated from the late 13th century though it could possibly be as old as the 11th century. Its original name of ‘Llan Garw Gwyn’ (The Church of The White Deer) possibly alludes to a legend dating back its initial erection.
Fetching a Halter
The following folk tale entitled ‘Fetching a Halter’ appeared in ‘The Welsh Fairy Book’ (1908) by W. Jenkyn Thomas ‘A VERY large company came together to hold a merry evening at Bwlch Mwrchan, a farmhouse close by Lake Gwynan, in Snowdonia. It was a stormy night. The wind whistled and howled in the woods, tearing the trees like matchsticks.
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