Fabulous Folklore: The Knockers of Cornwall

Beneath the sacred lands of Cornwall and Devon are said to be small, gnome-like creatures called Knockers. They are said to wear mining outfits, stand at roughly 2ft tall, and commit all kinds of mischief - namely stealing miners’ food.

It is said that miners’ wives would mark their husbands’ pasties with their initials, not just for identification, but for the Knockers to be able to credit the miner for giving them food. For those who don’t know what a pasty is, it’s a savoury, shortcrust, semi-circular pie traditionally filled with beef, potato and vegetables and associated mainly with the West Country. They are available all over the U.K. and come with a variety of fillings.

The Knockers got their name from the rapping and knocking noises heard by the miners. The Knockers were not viewed as negative - it was believed that they led the miners towards areas that were rich with minerals. It was also believed that the presence of Knockers meant safety; so staying on the good side of the Knockers was imperative. The miners would do this in a number of ways, including making the offering of their last bit of pasty to the Knockers by casting it into the mine.

I suspect the Doozers in the TV series Fraggle Rock were inspired by the legend of Knockers as St Anthony Lighthouse in Cornwall was the setting. My late Father-in-Law also called the house he built in Cornwall “Fraggle Rock” so as a family we have a particular love for this show and all things related.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Cornish Piskies

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Elves

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Hurlers on Bodmin Moor

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Tomte

Fabulous Folklore: A Personal Spooky Story

So, Halloween and Samhain are nearly upon us. Let’s have some spooky stories!

Do you guys have any? I intend to share these stories and others from this post on my YouTube channel.

I have quite a few but today this one springs to mind…

Twenty one years ago I was walking down a dark, unlit country lane in Hampshire with my beloved friend, Sarah. It was the night before I was due to move to Northern Ireland and we were up late grabbing some precious time together. Down the other end of the lane was a man with a dog. I remember being in a fantastic mood; I was enjoying my evening with Sarah and was full of joy and excitement for the coming days. Add the prospect of petting a dog into the mix and I was positively bursting with happiness! My ‘phone rang and it was Tom, my then partner. He was on the overnight ferry from Belfast making his way over to England to collect me. I was chatting to Tom, hearing his news about how the first phase of our relocation had gone, and telling him what I was up to. We’d been on the call for a few minutes when I was said I going to say goodnight to allow him to attempt some sleep and because someone was approaching with a dog I wanted to pet. Sarah quietly shushed me, and I broke my sentence off. Weird. I repeated the bit about the dog to Tom and she shushed me again, looking a bit sheepish. I got off the ‘phone and asked her what was wrong and she said she didn’t want to talk about it. It seemed weird and out of character for Sarah, but I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. We carried on walking down the dark unlit passage, chatting and enjoying our time together. We got to the end of the road and I mentioned how strange it was that the man or the dog never materialised; she told me she’d answer this when we were back on lit paths. We made our way back onto the estate and she told me that the lane was called Black Dog Lane, and was supposedly haunted by a man with a big dark dog, who would wait for the dog at the end of the lane, before disappearing together.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Haunted Houses

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Friday 13th 

Fabulous Folklore: The Hurlers on Bodmin Moor

The Hurlers, situated on Bodmin Moor, are three stone circles that date back to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. Their arrangement in a row is unique in England; and whilst the exact function of The Hurlers is unknown, it is believed to be a ceremonial monument and a meeting place for community gatherings.

It is possible that these stone circles mark a processional route between the Stowe’s Hill Neolithic hilltop settlement in the north, to the Caradon Hill barrow cemetery in the south.

Local legend says the stones were men who were turned to stone for playing hurling on a Sunday, with The Pipers, two nearby standing stones, being two men who were also turned to stone for playing music on a Sunday. This makes a lovely change from them being women, who were popular targets for being turned to stone in myths and legends about other stone circles across the U.K., for example the Nine Ladies on Stanton Moor in Derbyshire.

This is a fantastic site to visit but the weather can be extremely changeable ~ or even just extreme! ~ but the horses and cows seem to like it.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Ring Stone at Avebury 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Duloe Stone Circle

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Cornish Piskies 

NEXT - Nine Ladies Stone Circle 

Fabulous Folklore: Haunted Houses

You guys often ask me to ask me to share pictures of the inside of our home - here is a snapshot of part of my bedroom. The walls are a delicate lavender colour, which I adore, but it’s really cold in this part of the house, so I don’t hang out here as often as I’d like.

We are often asked if our house is haunted, and I understand this as we do live on cemetery grounds. Our bedroom is only one of two parts of the house where I believe I have sensed a spirit; and both those occasions were when we first moved in. People are often surprised ~ and disappointed ~ when I say our home is not particularly haunted. If you think about it, a cemetery is where people are laid to rest, and so it’s actually a very peaceful place. The house feels very calm and serene, and it is no different at night.

I have lived in a house with a negative spirit, which we coped with, but it did make me wonder what we might be letting ourselves in for when we bought this house. I reasoned that the people who lived here before had been here years, so it would probably be ok. And it was.

Have you ever lived in a haunted house, or had an experience in one? I would love to hear your spooky stories!

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Crooked House 

Fabulous Folklore: Nine Ladies Stone Circle

This is the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, situated on the magical Stanton Moor, and despite the name, there are actually ten stones, the tenth having been found in 1977, now laying flat.

The Nine Ladies is part of a tradition of stone circle building that took place during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age period, between 3300 and 900 BCE, with the construction of Nine Ladies falling into the Early Bronze Age.

The precise purpose of the Nine Ladies is unknown, but it is believed that the circle was used for ceremonies and rituals regarding life and death, and this site is certainly held dear by modern pagans, with many gathering at the stones on the Solstice. Experts are also unsure if the single monolith laying 40m southwest of the circle, the King Stone, is connected to the Nine Ladies, or whether their proximity to each other is purely incidental. There is no evidence to suggest that they are connected in any way.

According to legend, a fiddler - now the King Stone - played music for nine dancing ladies on Midsummer’s Night, with everyone being turned to stone as punishment for sinning on the Sabbath. Some stories say he was actually a flautist.

Other stories speak of an unidentified man dressed in black standing outside the stone circle after dark, watching nine witches dancing to the sounds of the Devil playing the fiddle, who were later turned to stone. Apparently, the man in black is actually the Devil himself watching his own handiwork.

Other legends say that when the Moon is full the stones themselves move around in a ritual dance.

There is a tendency in British folklore to name stones as women; there is the similarly named Nine Maidens stone circle near Penzance, and the Nine Maidens stone row on Bodmin.

Have you ever visited the Nine Ladies? I found the energy there beautiful and serene - what do you think? Is this on your list of places to visit?

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Stanton Tower 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Stonehenge

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Hurlers on Bodmin Moor

Fabulous Folklore: The Lincoln Imp

I live in an area bordering Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and Leicestershire, where there is rich and varied folklore. One of the characters I love the most is the Lincoln Imp, as seen on this caddy spoon. (For those who don’t know what caddy spoons are, they were used to measure tea at a time when tea was very expensive.) I have told his story before, but it is so much fun I thought I’d share it again in a little more detail.

According to 14th-century legend, the Devil was in a mischievous mood, and let out all his demons to play; with a group of imps sent to Earth to do his bidding.

After causing havoc in Northern England, stopping at Chesterfield to twist the spire of St. Mary and All Saints Church, the imps moved on to Lincoln Cathedral, where they planned to create as much trouble as possible. The imps set about their chaos, breaking the lights, smashing up the place, knocking over candles, destroying stained glass windows, and tripping up the Dean.

An angel appeared to the group, and confronted them. A number of imps managed to escape the angel, leaving two imps remaining. The first threw rocks and insults at the angel, the second cowered under broken furniture. The angel boomed at the first imp “Wicked Imp, be turned to stone!” immortalising his terrified form into cold, hard stone, as seen on the wall of Lincoln Cathedral.

Whilst this was happening, the other, slightly less naughty, imp managed to escape. According to one legend, the imp made it to the coastal town of Grimsby, where he continued the destructive behaviour at St. James’ Church, now known as Grimsby Minster. The angel appeared and gave the imp a good hiding, before turning him to stone. The Grimsby imp can be seen in St. James’ Church, holding on to his sore bottom.

The Lincoln Imp can be seen all around the town of Lincoln. He’s present on door knockers, on items and souvenirs in gift shops, and in the name of the local football team, The Red Imps, who sport the Lincoln Imp image as their logo. It is said that on still days it is windy around the cathedral, which is the second imp circling the building looking for his friend.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Black Annis

NEXT - Simple Magick: Traditional Witchcraft, Folklore & The Lincoln Imp

NEXT - Simple Magick: Our House Guardians

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Sheela-na-Gig

Fabulous Folklore: The Edith Weston Poltergeist

Several miles from here is a village called Edith Weston. It has a population of about 1100 people, and is named after Edith of Wessex, Queen of Edward the Confessor.

In December 1896, huge flocks of people gathered from afar to witness the haunting of a house; then inhabited by a Mr and Mrs Gray. Extremely loud and repetitive knocking was heard at the doors and windows, and this continued for a full week before Christmas. Hundreds of people witnessed these knocks, including Mr Braithwaite of Edith Weston Hall, who owned the property.

At it’s loudest, the entire village could hear the knocking. Police, clergy and a whole host of other official people came to solve the mysterious problem, but upon investigation, the noise would shift from room to room.

Rumours and theories were spread by the worried villagers. A fifteen year old serving girl was blamed for the mysterious thumping; but when that continued in her absence, it was then blamed on the Devil, who had been invited into the house by her.

Mrs Gray became sick with the stress and worry; and Mr Braithwaite considered demolishing the property. Thankfully the noises stopped at Christmas, but no logical explanation was ever found. An investigator from London blamed the girl. Allegedly, she called “Here I am, come on you” when entering the kitchen; the noises continuing in there long after she left.

So much time has passed that it’s not clear which building housed the Edith Weston Poltergeist, but stories are still told about it to this day. 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Witches of Belvoir
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Pumpkins

Fabulous Folklore: The Red Lion Pub

Trigger Warning - Murder

The Red Lion Pub, Avebury

This 400 year old pub is the only one in the world to be situated within a prehistoric stone circle, and quite possibly the only pub to have a well inside it, too! In my humble opinion, it is one of the most fascinating pubs in the UK, and also one of my favourites, having spent a lot of time here with friends.

Originally a farmhouse dating back to the 1600s, it later becoming a coaching inn in 1802, and is said to be extremely haunted. I have heard this first hand from several people over the years, one of which has vowed never to stay there ~ or to even set foot in Avebury ~ ever again.

In the part of the pub that you can see in the picture there is an ancient well. It now has a glass top, and is utilised as a table, but it has a dark story behind it.

There are said to be several ghosts haunting the pub, but the most famous one is Florrie.

Florrie lived in the building in the 17th century during the English Civil War. Her husband was a soldier, and he returned from the war unannounced to find Florrie in the arms of a lover. He shot the lover dead, and killed Florrie, throwing her body down the well, sealing it with a boulder. Florrie’s ghost haunts the pub, emerging and disappearing from the well, appearing in the ladies toilet, throwing salt and pepper mills, and generally causing a stir whenever bearded men are around.

It doesn’t seem as if you can stay there overnight now, but it is well worth a trip for a drink if you’re visiting to see the stones.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Waverley Abbey

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Ring Stone at Avebury

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Silbury Hill

NEXT - Farewell: Rest In Peace Terry Dobney, Archdruid of Avebury

Fabulous Folklore: Werewolves, Werewolfery & The Werewolf Witch Trials

The word werewolf comes from the Old English word werwulf, a compound of wer "man" and wulf "wolf". The werewolf, or lycanthrope, is a human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf (or wolf-like creature) after being placed under a curse, or attacked by another werewolf.

The belief in werewolves is said to have developed parallel to the belief in witches around the Late Middle Ages, and was widespread throughout much of Europe.

The hunt for ~ and persecution of ~ werewolves is integral to the witch hunt phenomenon. Accusations of lycanthropy were unusual, but did appear during witchcraft trials. Werewolf trials started in Switzerland, and spread to Germany, France, Austria and the Balkans. Between 1527 and 1725, there were at least 18 trials that involved people being accused of lycanthropy as a part of their alleged witchcraft. Some trials did not involve witchcraft, and instead were focused on general wolf-related crimes; for example wolf riding or wolf charming.

The first werewolf trial happened in 1521 but was not related to witchcraft. It was the trial of two serial killers who having been tortured by the Church confessed to being werewolves. In 1692, a man named Thiess claimed to be a “good” werewolf. He openly admitted ~ without torture ~ to being a werewolf, and said they were the Hounds of God who helped combat witches and demons.

It is believed that many of the accused were actually suffering from a rare mental illness called “clinical lycanthropy”, in which the sufferer believes they are able to turn into a feral animal.

During the time witch and werewolf trials took place, things were pretty shaky (the Protestant Reformation was sweeping through the land) and the Church used the interrogations of “witches” and “werewolves” to bolster their power and influence.

Image is a photo of a piece of art found at The Museum of Witchcraft & Magic, Boscastle. 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Witch Balls

Fabulous Folklore: Black Anna

Locally there used to be a cave, called Black Annis’ Bower, and it was believed to be inhabited by a savage, bedraggled, and scary woman, with blue skin, great pointy teeth and long, sharp nails.

When the local children went out to play they were warned that Black Anna, this horrible old hag with blue skin, would snatch and devour them. To be caught by Black Anna would mean being scratched to death, sucked dry of blood, and having your skin hung up to dry; later to be worn around her waist as a skirt.

You could hear her howling from five miles away, and some said you could hear her grinding her teeth as she approached; giving people time to lock their doors and move away from their windows, which were hung with protective herbs. It is said that the cottages of Leicestershire were built with one small window so that she could only get one arm inside.

“Tis said the soul of mortal man recoiled,

To view Black Annis' eye, so fierce and wild,

Vast talons, foul with human flesh, there grew,

In place of hands, and features livid blue,

Glared in her visage, whilst her obscene waist,

Warm skins of human victims close embraced.

Not without terror they the cave survey,

Where hung the monstrous trophies of her sway,

'Tis said that in the rock large rooms were found,

Scooped with her claws beneath the flinty ground.”

By the end of the 19th century the story had changed somewhat. She was instead known as Cat Anna, and was thought to be a witch living in the cellars under Leicester Castle. She was said to run along underground tunnels from the castle to the Dane Hills, the area where her cave was situated, on the lookout for lambs and small children to snatch.

There are lots of theories about Black Annis. Some say this story is based on an actual woman named Agnes Scott, a hermit of the forest, who died in 1455. It has also been suggested that she represents Anu the Celtic Goddess, or the Cailleach Bheur; the blue hag of the Highlands. For others she is a dark aspect of the Goddess, or the Crone. For others she is partner to the Leicester Bel; Annis being Samhain to Bel’s Beltane.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Leicestershire Chambermaid

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Leicestershire & Rutland Leechcraft

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Midland Hawthorn

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Tomte

Fabulous Folklore: The Black Annis

Time for a spooky story...

Within the local Dane Hills, known properly as the “dunes”, there used to be a cave, long since filled in, called Black Annis’ Bower, and it was believed to be inhabited by a savage, bedraggled, and scary woman, with great pointy teeth and long, sharp nails.

The Black Annis devoured those that got near, and when the local children went to play in the hills they were assured that if they weren’t careful, this creature - Black Anna - would snatch them.

She had dug the cave out herself with her long claws, and she crouched among the branches of an old pollard oak, which grew over the mouth of her cave. To be caught by Black Anna would mean being scratched to death, sucked dry of blood, and having your skin hung up to dry; later to be worn around the Black Annis’ waist.

“Tis said the soul of mortal man recoiled,

To view Black Annis' eye, so fierce and wild,

Vast talons, foul with human flesh, there grew,

In place of hands, and features livid blue,

Glared in her visage, whilst her obscene waist,

Warm skins of human victims close embraced.

Not without terror they the cave survey,

Where hung the monstrous trophies of her sway,

'Tis said that in the rock large rooms were found,

Scooped with her claws beneath the flinty ground.”

Whilst Prof. Ronald Hutton suggests that the Black Annis is based on a real person - Agnes Scott - could it be that ancient human activity has been merged into this scary story, and that the cannibalism of Black Anna should not be completely doubted? In the 1980s researchers exploring Cheddar Gorge in Somerset found something inside Gough’s Cave: irrefutable evidence of cannibalism in Ancient Britain. The remains of a three-year-old, two adolescents, and at least two adults that appear to have been eaten by humans some 15,000 years ago.

Anyway, a relic of these stories still remains in the minds of the people of Leicestershire and Rutland in the monstrous cat form of Cat Anna; a witch who lived in the cellars of Leicester Castle, who still runs from the castle to the Dane Hills along an underground passage to look for children to consume.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Werewolves, Werewolfery & The Werewolf Witch Trials