Easton Wood Devil
In her ‘Nummits and Crummits’ (1900), Sarah Hewett gives the following account. ‘An old man living in South Devon, once told me that as he was one night returning from Starcross to a farm...
Country and County: Europe
The Quarrel with the Sons of Morna
ONE time when the Fianna were gone here and there hunting, Black Garraidh and Caoilte were sitting beside Finn, and they were talking of the battle where Finn’s father was killed. And Finn said...
Dalston Holy Well
According to The Legendary Lore of the Holy Wells of England by Robert Charles Hope (1893),’The Holy Well near Dalston is very interesting, and had some connection with Carlisle. It is situated in the...
Death of Goll
AND at last it chanced that Goll and Cairell, son of Finn, met with one another, and said sharp words, and they fought in the sea near the strand, and Cairell got his death...
The Ship Inn, Acaster Malbis
The following article by Richard Catton and entitled ‘ Another York pub, The Ship Inn, Acaster Malbis, plagued by ghosts’ was published in The York Press on 13th June 2009. A MYSTERIOUS grey figure...
Back-Slamming
Back-slamming is described in ‘Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports’ (1873) edited by John Harland & T. T. Wilkinson. ‘In this case, the offender is swung against a door, or wall, by two or more...
Buck-Thanging
In ‘Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports’ (1873) edited by John Harland & T. T. Wilkinson, we are told that, ‘”Buck-thanging” is a Lancashire punishment still practised by school boys. The offender is taken and...
Tossing In The Blanket
The following extract is from the 19th century. “Tossing in the Blanket,” or “pack-sheeting,” is still practised in the neighbourhood of Burnley. This is done when a sweetheart jilts her lover, and weds another....
Stang Riding (Stang-riding)
According to ‘Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports’ (1873) edited by John Harland & T. T. Wilkinson, ‘THE practice of what is locally termed “stang riding” was practised in Lancashire some forty years’ ago. When...
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