The Devil’s Apronful
In his ‘Yorkshire Legends and Traditions’ (1888), Rev Thomas Parkinson gave the following account of how the stones known as The Devil’s Apronful got their name.
Country and County: Yorkshire
The Devil’s Bridge, Burnsall
There stories throughout Britain of the Devil building bridges and Rev Thomas Parkinson in his ‘Yorkshire Legends and Traditions’ (1888) gives the following account for the bridge over the River Dibb at Burnsall.
Cawood Castle
Cawood Castle was a palace of the Archbishop of York probably built upon an early Saxon fortification dating from the reign of King Athelstan (Æthelstan) 925AD – 939AD. During the English Civil War (1642–1651) Cawood was fought over several times and served as a prisoner of war camp.
Malt Shovel Public House, Oswaldkirk
The Malt Shovel is a Grade II listed building and according Sir Nikolaus Pevsner (born 30 January 1902 – died 18 August 1983) dates from around 1720. Originally built as a house by William Moore, the Malt Shovel has a reputation of being haunted.
The Slingsby Serpent
In 1619 the antiquary Roger Dodsworth (born 1585 – died 1654) gave an early account of the dragon: ‘The tradition is that between Malton and this town there was some time a serpent, that lived upon prey of passengers, and which this Wyvill and his dog did kill, when he received his death-wound.
All Saints Church, Nunnington and the Dragon of Loschy Wood
The following account of the legend of the Dragon of Loschy Hill was detailed in the 1888 book ‘Yorkshire Legends and Traditions’ by Rev Thomas Parkinson who quoted his source as being an article entitled Serpent Legends of Yorkshire from the Leisure Hour (May 1878).
Handale Priory, Scaw and the Serpent
Writing in 1888, Rev Thomas Parkinson in his ‘Yorkshire Legends and Traditions’ gives the following account of the death of the Handale Serpent. ‘In ancient times these quiet woods were infested by a huge serpent, possessed of most singular fascinating powers, which used to beguile young damsels from the paths of truth and duty, and afterwards feed on their dainty limbs.
Swinsty Hall
Swinsty Hall dates from the 16th Century and can be found on the banks of Swinsty Reservoir (built 1874).
Skipsea Castle
Skipsea Castle dates from around 1086 and was one of the early Norman period Motte and Bailey Castles. The remains of the castle which was destroyed in 1221 when William de Froz II rebelled against King Henry III (born 1 October 1207 – died 16 November 1272) are traditionally thought to be haunted by a white lady, the wife of Drogo de la Bouerer, who founded the castle.
St Alkelda’s Well, Middleham
St Alkeda was a chaste Saxon maiden, sometimes described as a princess, noble woman or a nun. On 28th March 800AD, somewhere close to the site of St Mary’s and St Alkelda’s Church, she was strangled to death for her faith by two Danish women involved in a Viking raid. It has been suggested that they killed her by twisting a napkin around her neck.
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