I have a guest writer on this Blog. Imogen has joined me from Scarborough Sixth Form on Work Experience. Enjoy reading!
There are a multitude of folklore tales and superstitions that can be found within the museum library and archives; books on the subject can be found in cabinet 29 and provide direct information on rituals, customs and beliefs in and around the Whitby area. In the archive, we have a ‘green box’ 60, (location E2.5) called ‘folklore’ where you can access a snippet of information on the subject. Also, other archive collections contain information on local superstitions such as ‘Frank Elgee’ (location B5.4) and ‘John Howard’ (location C2.6).
For this blog, I have been gathering information on the folklore history of Whitby and the North York Moors area with many tales tracing back to the Bronze age and Celtic period, where superstitious stories and folklore were commonly widespread and believed in.
One folklore tale I have researched is the use of Witch Posts, which are puzzling wooden posts made of oak that are believed to have protected houses from evil, possibly witches. There are approximately 25 known to have survived and many of these surviving examples are around the upper Eskdale and Cleveland area in early dwellings. They are often positioned around fireplaces to prevent evil from entering the chimney and are around 7 – 8 feet tall with a X shaped ST Andrews cross on the post, generally viewed as an apotropaic symbol (apotropaic symbols speak of fears once widespread, particularly around the 16th and 18th centuries). While this does explain the belief of the time, other research I have found argues that factors such as the placement and materials used for the posts contradicts their beliefs of what does and doesn’t ward off spirits. For example, the posts were made out of oak, which was not typically used to ward of spirits and rowan was used instead. They were also placed at fireplaces, which isn’t the ideal most and effective placement for them as they would have been more likely to place them near livestock, as whenever problems would occur with the livestock, they would blame it on spirits. Also, with them being inside, they are permitting the spirits to enter their homes, rather than using the witch posts as a barrier outside of the home. Another explanation for these puzzling posts could be one of a religious nature, as the carved-out crosses could have been used to identify a house in which it was safe to celebrate mass.
Another folk tale I have researched is the origins behind the yearly planting of the Penny Hedge, which is thought to have originated from a penance for a heinous ancient crime. According to a late 12th century tale, 3 local men from around the Whitby area were hunting in the woods of Eskdale side, where they found a boar, which managed to escape and find refuge in a nearby hermitage. The three men were frustrated and angered at the holy man, who refused to hand over the boar, due to his belief that it was one of gods creatures that should be protected and shown mercy. The pent-up rage and adrenaline from the three men caused them to violently attach the man and the bear, killing both of them. Upon realising that the man was dead, the men had realised the extent of their actions and the hermit made them promise before he died that they would carry out a penance Infront of witnesses, this led to the tradition of the penny hedge, as the men’s sentence obliged them to carry bundles of hedge stacks upon their backs through the streets of the town with crows jeering and an official blowing horn to announce the proceedings. This story has been produced by many historical news outlets around Whitby, including Richardson son, Flowergate printers and publishers in 1858.
There are many myths/stories/facts surrounding this interesting ceremony. Alistair Laurence has written a book called ‘The Penny Hedge: Whitby’s Rustic Curiosity’ which can be found in our library (Location 942.747 W.LAU cabinet 35)
Another folklore tale I found was on the Sin Eaters who were poor people who would eat and drink at funerals of dead people so that his or her soul could pass to heaven without further hindrance. Records of these go back to the 6th century when part of their duty was to throw a purple thread into a fast-running river to rid themselves of the dead persons sins that they had acquired through eating and drinking at the funeral for that purpose.
If you are interested in viewing these books and resources, the library is open 10 AM – 4 PM Tuesday to Friday.
By Imogen Waller – Work Experience Student from Scarborough Sixth Form
#ArchivesForAll #HeritageFund
