The session:
Followed on the theme of Black Dogs and Boggy beasts with other similar beasts. Completing mischievous creatures and then looking at helpful ones.
1/. We finished off the Hedley Kow. Kow being the North Country name for a Boggart/Boggle. This was known for playing tricks, could shape shift and would cause torment. It could appear at the birth of a child, mocking and taunting those involved. This was a special time where when new life is brought about and seen as a time where the boundaries between this world and the other were blurred. It took many forms not all of them animal.
The origins of this type of being go back into history and have been embellished over time. Tales of shape shifting goes back into Celtic Myths and legends.
2/. We then had a look at a large number of examples of helpful creatures, these were found all over the country and included:-
- Brownie of Strathmiglo Castle, Fife, Scotland:- helped the people of the Tower of Cash with the farm work in return for food.
- Puck:- helped at Old Daniel Burton’s farm at Levenshulme, Lancashire until the farmer criticised his work; left for good when the farmer called down God’s blessing on him.
- Hobthrust of Manor Farm, East Halton, Lincolnshire:- left after the farmer substituted his usual reward of a linen shirt with one made of hemp
- Hob Hurst at Dore, Sheffield:- made shoes for a poor shoemaker until the man became too curious and too greedy.
- Abbey Lubbers:- haunted abbeys where the monks were too fond of their food and drink.
- Boggart of Wolf Hall, Chipping, Lancashire:- troublesome boggart was laid by a priest under a yew tree by the farm gate.
- Boggart of Hothersall Hall, Lancashire:- laid under the roots of a laurel tree at the end of the house.
- Boggart of Syke Lumb Farm, Blackburn, Lancashire:- helpful if treated well, or mischievous if treated with disrespect.
- Flitting with the Boggart:- boggart attached himself to the family, rather than to the house. Boggart of Boggart Hall and Boggart Hole (Hall) Clough, Blackley, Lancashire. This will be looked at further in the next session.
3/. There was a sort of common set of rules/themes when dealing with these creatures:-
- They needed to be treated with respect.
- Invoking God’s word would offend and cause them to leave.
- They should not be exploited in what they do for humans, they were willing workers but there were always conditions attached
- Sometimes they were easily offended by things like the offer of payments as they were nobody’s servant. We discussed why they may be offended by the offer of clothes. If they were poor quality this showed a lack of respect, the rules of hospitality said the best quality should be given, and it could be seen as disrespectful to their natural state, these creatures were often described as small hairy men.
4/. Origins
The origins of this folklore lie far back in time and they may have provided a consequence and a reason for things that happened that could not otherwise be explained. There could have been a teaching purpose behind them. They may have provided a moral framework as they were willing to help decent humans and this may have been developed as Christianity grew.
References to trees in the tales links back to Norse mythology, Yggdrasil was the tree which held the various worlds together and offerings of milk would be given to nourish it. Holly is regarded as protective against things evil.
Next session Flitting with the Boggarts and then moving on to The Faery Folk or The Good Folk.
Last Updated on February 9, 2021