The UK is probably one of the most unusual countries. At the same time, its history is filled with insanely interesting events and intriguing secrets. There are also myths and legends that are told with such enthusiasm that these tales are perceived as a real part of the history.
English folklore, as part of all-British folklore, rooted in the folklore and mythology of the peoples who formed the English nation: in the Celtic mythology of the tribes that inhabited England in pre-Roman times (Britons and others), and German mythology of the tribes who settled in the island during the great migration of peoples (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes). Great influence on the formation of English folklore had the legends and beliefs of Celtic peoples, primarily the Welsh, with whom historically the English were constantly in contact. Scandinavian and French folklore, brought to the Islands after the Norman conquest of England, had a certain influence.
Mythological explanation of the origin of the British
The central point here is the island position of the country. In all myths, the image of the island is always considered as something otherworldly, mysterious and magical.
We do not know when people came to the British Isles; myths try to explain this. According to Celtic lore, man was created by the gods from trees. Druid priests held festivals in honor of the Supreme God, whose symbol was the oak.
One version of the origin of the British state is the story about the arrival of the Brutus, who was the participant of the Trojan war, to the Islands in 1108 BC. Afterwards Britain was founded. In another description, the creation of the British Isles is associated with the desire of a leader named Britt to settle on a beautiful misty island called Albion.
№1. St. Michael’s mountain, Cornwall.
This place is called «the jewel in the crown of Cornwall». It is one of the most visited attractions in Britain, under the management of the «National Trust». From 1600 to the present day, the mountain was the seat of the Saint-Aubin family. In 1954, Lord St. Leven transferred this land to the «National Trust».
The mountain is a granite rock rising from the waters of Mount’s Bay, on top of which is a stunning castle that was once a Benedictine monastery. The monastery was built in the 12th century and was a «daughter» settlement of the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy.
One of the legends associated with the mountain goes back to the time when it was part of the mainland and in general, the entire surface of Mount’s Bay was dry land covered with forest. It is said that at that time two giants, Cormoran and his wife Cormelian, lived in this place. They were building a castle of white granite, but Cormelian was lazy and started using green granite, which was closer. When Cormoran caught her, she dropped the block. A piece of green granite known as Che-pel-Rock is still visible near the road leading to the mountain.
The mountain is named after the Archangel Michael, because, according to Cornish legend, he appeared there in 495. Some say that a hermit saw him; others say that it was fishermen, and others consider that a group of monks saw him.
It is also said that Celtic saints lived here and that this mountain is the part of the legendary country of Lyonesse, which was lost during a great disaster in prehistoric times. Since the 12th century, the mountain has become a famous place of pilgrimage.
№2. Geoglyph «The Giant Sern-Abbas», near Dorchester.
Geoglyphs are geometric or figured patterns that are usually more than 4 meters long.
The Giant Sern-Abbas is a figure of a giant naked man located on a hillside near the village of Sern-Abbas, north of Dorchester, in Dorset, England. The figure 180 feet (55 meters) high, 167 feet (51 meters) wide is carved on the side of a steep hill. It is best viewed from the opposite side of the valley or from the air. The outline of the figure is formed by a trench 12 inches (30 centimeters) wide, and about the same depth, which runs through the grass and earth and is outlined with chalk. In his right hand, the giant holds a club 120 feet (37 meters) long. In 1996, a study conducted by experts showed that some features of this geoglyph change over time, in particular, the study showed that the giant originally had a cloak in his left hand, and he stood over the head severed from the body.
The origin of the figure and the exact age of the image are unknown. Experts have previously linked it to a Saxon deity, although there is very little evidence of such a connection. Other scientists have tried to prove that the geoglyph represents a character in Celtic folklore, or even a Roman Hercules. Research conducted in 1996 provided new proofs for identifying the Giant Sern-Abbass with Hercules, who was often depicted with a mace and a cloak made from the skin of the Nemean Lion.
The first description of the Sern-Abbas giant dates from the middle of the 18th century. Many researchers conclude that the figure itself also belongs to approximately this period. Regardless of age, the figure of the giant from Sern-Abbas has become an important part of local culture and folklore, which often associate it with deities who protect fertility. According to one of the local legends, the Sern-Abbas giant really existed and devastated the nearby villages. Once local herdsmen found him sleeping, cut off his head, and then drew the contours of the body to frighten other giants. In these parts, to this day, there is a belief that the giant sometimes comes to life and goes down to the stream to drink water.
№ 3. St. Michael’s Hill. Tower of Glastonbury.
It is impossible, perhaps, to find in England a more mystical place, because this enigmatic hill is associated with an incredible number of stories and legends. Some consider that it is a dreamlike Kingdom of Fairies; others say that it is an Avalon, a wonderful place between the worlds, in which there is no disease or trouble. Ancient Celtic legends mention a large underground Kingdom that was located under this hill. Modern fans of mystery and paranormal phenomena believe that the Glastonbury hill is a portal to other worlds.
There are two other popular legends about St. Michael’s hill. According to one of them, the Holy Grail, the Cup from which Jesus Christ drank during the Last Supper, is hidden on the hillside. Another legend says that the bodies of King Arthur and his wife are buried in this place.
Indeed, there are many open questions about Glastonbury. It is located at an altitude of 145 meters above the ground and surrounded by seven ring ledges, and it is still unknown exactly how they were formed. In ancient times, there were many floods, during which the hill remained the only inaccessible to water island. Until now, there is an opinion among local residents that its spiral-shaped hillsides are a mystical labyrinth.
In the 11-12 centuries, a church was built on top of the hill, which was destroyed in 1275 by the earthquake. After that, the church was rebuilt and it existed until 1539. Because of Henry VIII’s ecclesial reform, this church was destroyed and the last Abbot of Glastonbury was cruelly executed.
Nowadays a single antique chapel tower is located on St. Michael’s hill. Tourists are very attracted to this showplace, because the ancient tower on a hill looks mystical and stunning, and the rays of the setting sun, which shine through the stone arches, give the tower a mystery and enigma.
№ 4. Stonehenge, Salisbury.
Stonehenge holds many secrets and is still a mystery and subject of controversy for scientists around the world. The megalithic structure is located on the Salisbury plain, located near London. The popular attraction is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Legends connect Stonehenge with Merlin, a man of wisdom and wizard from Celtic myths, and some versions speak of the ancient Romans. In the 19th century, a large number of people supported the theory that the building was a druid sanctuary, but there is no exact interpretation of the purpose of this miracle of architecture.
It is believed that the place full of ancient magic grants wishes. You only need to stand in the center of the circle of stone blocks and say your wish aloud or touch one of the stones. Nowadays it is forbidden to be on the territory of Stonehenge because there were many tourists who wanted not only the fulfillment of wishes, but also a part of the attraction as a trophy.
There are few legends connected with the Stonehenge.
«Monk’s heel»
The monk’s heel stone lies to the North-East of the Stonehenge stone circle. A folk tale under the date of the 17th century explains the origin of the name of this stone.
The devil bought the stones from a woman in Ireland, and carried them to Salisbury plain. One of the stones fell into the river Avon and the rest of the stones he scattered on the plain. Then the Devil shouted: «No one will ever know how these stones got here!». The monk replied: «This is what you think!». The devil got angry and threw one of the stones at him. The stone hit the monk’s heel, bounced off, and stuck in the ground. This is how the stone got its name.
«The Legend of Merlin»
In the 12th century, Geoffrey of Monmouth tells a fancy story in his work «Historia Regum Britanniae», which attributes the construction of the monument to Merlin.
According to Geoffrey, the Stonehenge stones are life-giving and it is called the «dance of the giant». The giants brought these stones from Africa to Ireland. King Aurelius Ambrosius wanted to build a memorial for 3,000 nobles killed in battle with the Saxons and buried in Salisbury. On Merlin’s advice, he chose Stonehenge. The king sent Merlin, Uther Pendragon (King Arthur’s father), and 15,000 knights to transport him from Ireland. However, as the knights did not try to move the stones, they did not succeed. Then Merlin, using his skills, easily moved Stonehenge to the UK. After it was installed near Amesbury, Aurelius Ambrosius, Uther Pendragon and Constantine III, were buried inside the giant ring of Stonehenge.
№ 5. Wookey Hole caves, Somerset county.
Wookey Hole is a complex of caves stretching along the ridge of Mendip Hills, from east to west of the county of Somerset. The caves appeared here thanks to the river Exe, which washed out the recesses in the limestone rock of the Mendip Hills.
The caves were named after the «Witch of Wookey Hole». Actually, this is the name given to a stalagmite 20 feet high, located in the first hall of the cave. It resembles a man in shape, and locals believe that it is a petrified monk from Glastonbury.
Before you get to the caves Wookey Hole, the river Exe passes through underground channels and through other caves such as Swindon Hole and St. Cuthbert of Swallet.
Wookey Hole caves are a popular tourist attraction, especially for those who love horror stories. An old English legend says that a man from Glastonbury was engaged to a girl, but a witch cast a curse on their couple. This man begged the monk to protect him from the witch. Father Bernard, a Benedictine monk, got into the witch’s cave, drove her into a dark corner, sanctified the pond, and when the spray hit the witch, she turned to stone.
Nowadays Wookey Hole keeps and maintains its legend. The caves spread out over the territory of the town and turned into a real amusement park.
English folklore is characterized by a large number of different fancy and mysterious mythical creatures, spirits and demons. The richness of English folklore served as the basis for the popularity of the genre of literary fairy tales in England of the 19-20 centuries. Along with writers who created their own world, based on the folklore tradition, the authors often used characters from English folklore, for example, Robin Hood (Walter Scott), little imp Pack (Rudyard Kipling).
Systematic collection of folklore monuments began only in the 18th century, when England had already become an industrial, urban country. Therefore, English folklore is generally worse preserved and less studied than that of other peoples of the British Isles. However, it was the study of English folklore that gave rise to the term «folklore» (from the English folk lore — «folk wisdom»). Ссылка на презентацию: https://vk.com/chitzalrostov?w=wall-62715327_20661%2Fall
