Legendary Sources
martin reboul
what the origin of this creature really is. They certainly seem to appear, in
various forms, in the legends and mythology of almost every civilisation that
has ever existed on the planet.
The dragon, or 'worm' obviously has characteristics of many known animals, such
as snakes, crocodiles and lizards, but the way they appear to have been
represented throughout history seems to be rather peculiar, and at odds with the
places where they were allegedly seen - and killed - in the past.
Scotland and Scandinavia seem unlikely places for such creatures to live in, yet
legends from these places often include dragons, some allegedly killed as late
as the medieval age, such as the Lampton worm and the Linton worm (both killed
by gallant young knighs errant), and there is St George of course (who operated
in somewhat warmer climes). The red dragon of Wales we all know, as well as many
heraldic references. Where does all this come from?
I have seen an Elizabethan book on natural history that devoted five pages to
the creature, which was obviously perceived as a very real entity, and there
seems to be a peculiar 'tradition' concerning various species, such as the two
headed sea going variety, the cave dragon with only two legs, and other well
defined 'sub-species'. Whatever it is, there is an enduring fascination which
clearly carries on to this very day, and remains strong enough to make many
films, stories and books about even now.
So, what did Sir John Somerville kill back in the 13th century? What was it that
terrorised neighbourhoods and inspired legends throughout the middle ages? I
must confess, I'd love to think it was some terrible flying monster, on the
verge of extinction, but as no bones, remains or cast iron proof of their
existence has been preserved or found, I reluctantly accept that it is extremely
unlikely.
I wondered if the fossil remains of dinosaurs may have spawned these legends?
Obviously we humans (well, some of us) have a desire or hope that there is more
to dragons than mere fairy tales and legends.
They aren't the only peculiar creatures either - there are accounts of a
cockatrice being killed in Northumberland (always keep a rowan stake handy, you
never know), and I'm quite sure if you asked most folk in the C15, they would
have assured you that gryphons were real, and to be treated with respect. Those
are hybrid creatures of course, unlike dragons, although the dragon could be
seen as part bat, part serpent, part lizard and part crocodile by cynical
naysayers (and the 'fire-breathing' bit could be to do with the foul breath of
reptiles without tongues and the spitting cobra). Perhaps the Sphinx started it
all off?
If anyone has any interesting tales, stories or anecdotes about such things,
especially any with dates, names and locations etc., please do tell. I may be
mounting an archaeolgical expedition to unearth the remains of the Linton Worm
if I can get Time Team interested...
Cheers
Martin
William Black
"martin reboul" <martin...@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:435ef...@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> If anyone has any interesting tales, stories or anecdotes about such
things,
> especially any with dates, names and locations etc., please do tell. I may
be
> mounting an archaeolgical expedition to unearth the remains of the Linton
Worm
> if I can get Time Team interested...
Well 'Filey Brig' is said to be the skeleton of 'The Seamer Worm'.
Picture at
http://www.hunmanby.demon.co.uk/photos/nyorks/pics/filey-still-1.jpg
Some details of the story here
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/n_yorkshire/filey_brig.html
Bring a big shovel, it must have been a huge worm...
--
William Black
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.
Martin
"William Black" <willia...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dk047b$8vs$1...@news.freedom2surf.net...
>
> "martin reboul" <martin...@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:435ef...@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>
> > If anyone has any interesting tales, stories or anecdotes about such
> things,
> > especially any with dates, names and locations etc., please do tell. I may
> be
> > mounting an archaeolgical expedition to unearth the remains of the Linton
> Worm
> > if I can get Time Team interested...
>
> Well 'Filey Brig' is said to be the skeleton of 'The Seamer Worm'.
>
> Picture at
>
> http://www.hunmanby.demon.co.uk/photos/nyorks/pics/filey-still-1.jpg
>
> Some details of the story here
>
> http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/n_yorkshire/filey_brig.html
>
> Bring a big shovel, it must have been a huge worm...
Thanks William, this was a big one, I doubt even Time Team would have a go.
What was the Devil doing knocking up ridges I wonder? Surely that was the Lords'
work, making geographical features etc.? Some Satanic DIY modification I
suppose - just goes to show, you really can't trust the Bible.
William Black
"Martin" <martin...@spamfuktiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4363d709$1...@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
Yorkshire's God's country, you can't have the Devil messing with the
landscape.
Julian Richards
http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/guvnor/records/ridgeriders.html
Track 2 The Work of the Devil.
A song about how the Devil formed such of the Southern English
countryside.
All the songs are about the Southern English landscape and
sufficiently old fashioned to be my shm recommended CD of the week. I
gave a copy to an American friend who enjoyed it immensely.
The TV series that used the music has never be shown outside of the
region it was recorded in. It was a mix of folk music, meeting
celebrities on old motorcycles and traveling the country.
--
Julian Richards
medieval "at" richardsuk.f9.co.uk
www.richardsuk.f9.co.uk
Website of "Robot Wars" middleweight "Broadsword IV"
THIS MESSAGE WAS POSTED FROM SOC.HISTORY.MEDIEVAL
Peter Alaca
Mmm, samples of Sandy Denny, short as her life.
--
P.A.