55 replies to this topic

[Flibbertigibbet]

BorisIWantToKnow, on 26 April 2012 - 05:33 PM, said:

Could be interpreted as some kind of metaphor for some kind of "evil". Because St.George fought a dragon, the dragon symbolizing paganism. Do you know was there some kind of a threat or something at that time there

It's thought to date from the 14th century and I guess it's possible that the Washington area was in danger from Scottish border raiders at that time, who sometimes came down quite far. Don't know of anything specific though.

[Goodnite]

So an ancient word for a worm was a dragon? They look more serpent like than dragon like to me. But what do I know? I'm a Yank.

[Flibbertigibbet]

Goodnite, on 26 April 2012 - 05:47 PM, said:

So an ancient word for a worm was a dragon? They look more serpent like than dragon like to me. But what do I know? I'm a Yank.

Worm is Old English for both dragon and serpent I think, which were thought of as more or less the same type of thing.

[Goodnite]

I can imagine given the limited world experience that they thought they looked alike. I know the difference though-

Great topic Flibber. One I haven't seen before-

[Flibbertigibbet]

Goodnite, on 26 April 2012 - 05:54 PM, said:

I can imagine given the limited world experience that they thought they looked alike. I know the difference though-

Some dragons are legless, which are serpents. Some have 2 legs, called wyverns, and some have 4 legs, the standard dragon. Perhaps only one type was native to England...

[Conrad Clough]

The welsh flying serpent called the Gwiber is a legless dragonish creature as well.

The Gwiber of Penmachno

I have always seen the Lambton Worm as a religious metaphor rather than a documented account of contact with a real creature.

Now you have me wanting to go off and do research, damn you, to cross reference dragon stories from Britain and see how many fall into the legless category as opposed to legged (and perhaps further broken down by number of legs and if wings are present).

[Flibbertigibbet]

TheLastLazyGun, on 26 April 2012 - 06:12 PM, said:

The Lambton Worm

A portion of the hide of the Lambton worm was supposedly kept on display at Lampton castle. It was said to resemble cow's hide. The specimen was lost when the castle was demolished in the 18th century.

A dragon skin was once said to hang in the church in Sexhow, North Yorkshire. The forest dwelling worm was slain by a knight and the skin kept as a relic hung on pegs in the church. The skin has long since vanished. The Parliamentarians probably destroyed it after the Civil War in the mid-17th century.

There have been many instances of dragons terrorising people in British history.


St Andrew's Church, Wormingford, Essex.  The village is supposedly where St George killed the dragon.

The dragon of Wormingford (worm's ford, worm meaning serpent or dragon) in Essex is a good example. It is said to have been a "cockadrill" brought back from the crusades by Richard the Lionheart for his zoo in the Tower of London. Breaking free it made its way through the county to the river Stour. Here it killed and ate Shepherds and sheep. No arrow or spear could penetrate its scales. Finally it disappeared into a marsh and was never seen again. There can be little doubt that this dragon was a Nile crocodile.

In fact, Wormingford has THREE dragon stories.  The first story says the village is the location where the patron saint of England, St. George, famously killed his dragon. A mound in the village is said to cover the body of the legendary dragon.


St Leonard's Forest, West Sussex

In August 1614 some strange reptile was at large in Saint Leonard's forest Sussex. At nine feet long it was not large as dragons go, but it was very dangerous. It was a limbless, serpentine, creature with a bulge in the middle the size of a football. Whenever animals or humans approached him, records a contemporary pamphlet, he raised up his head and looks around in an arrogant manner. He was said to have killed men and dogs by casting forth poison, but he did not eat the bodies. Instead he fed on the local rabbit population. This dragon sounds like a cobra, rearing up its head in a threat posture when disturbed, killing with poison, and eating rabbits. It seems that this creature escaped from an early private menagerie.

The Laidly (Northumbrian for loathsome) worm was once a beautiful princess named Margaret, who lived in Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland. Her stepmother was a witch who, due to jealousy, cast a spell changing the princess into a huge worm. The worm’s breath caused vegetation to shrivel, and it demanded the milk of seven cows every day.

Bedd-yr-Afanc means "the monster's grave" in Welsh, the Afanc being a name commonly given to a water monster in Wales. The grave is actually the only Bronze Age Gallery Grave in Wales and dates from around 1500BC. Just two rows of parallel stones survive. According to legend the Afanc used to dwell in a pool by Brynberian Bridge, and was captured and killed then buried in this mound on the hillside.

‘A mighty dragon made its lair under the roots of an ancient yew tree and wrought havoc in the surrounding countryside. Piers Shonks, Lord of the Manor of Pelham, fought it accompanied by three huge hounds. He finally triumphed by thrusting a long spear down the dragon’s throat.

In fact, no other country on earth has such rich dragon lore as Britain.

Our tiny little homeland is crawling with legends of these beasts. If you have ever wondered if there is a dragon legend close to where you live, then take a look at the following list: http://www.mysteriou...-gazetteer.html

No wonder the church wanted St George as it patron saint!

Was that place called Wormingford before Richard the Lionheart brought the crocodile back? If it was, and it sounds Anglo-Saxon, it would be a weird coincidence.

[bulveye]

This is it sang by a naked dude with the accent from here. It's pretty grim listening..

  I live in Sunderland and Penshaw monument is not where the worm wrapped itself round. It's a smaller hill nearer to the Biddick pub direction. I've been sledging on it when I was a kid, it's dead steep.

EDIT. It's on the wiki, called Worm hill, DOH!

Edited by bulveye, 26 April 2012 - 06:45 PM.

[Flibbertigibbet]

Conrad Clough, on 26 April 2012 - 06:16 PM, said:

The welsh flying serpent called the Gwiber is a legless dragonish creature as well.

The Gwiber of Penmachno

I have always seen the Lambton Worm as a religious metaphor rather than a documented account of contact with a real creature.

Now you have me wanting to go off and do research, damn you, to cross reference dragon stories from Britain and see how many fall into the legless category as opposed to legged (and perhaps further broken down by number of legs and if wings are present).

I wonder if there are any dragons with more than 4 legs?

[Conrad Clough]

Quote

St Andrew's Church, Wormingford, Essex. The village is supposedly where St George killed the dragon.

In nearly every account of the St. George story I have read he killed the dragon in "Lybia" (ie North Africa some place).

[Leonardo]

Flibbertigibbet, on 26 April 2012 - 06:49 PM, said:

I wonder if there are any dragons with more than 4 legs?

None in legend that I know of, but some are four-legged and winged which would make them hexapods regardless.

[spud the mackem]

Flibbertigibbet, on 26 April 2012 - 05:00 PM, said:

I feel sorry for worms. In ancient times they were huge scary beasts, dragon-type creatures and fire-breathing serpents. Now they just wriggle around in the dirt.

Ah but wormies are Edible so the S.A.S. and Royal Marines and Para's tell us,in their survival guides.Curried Wormy and Flied Lice yummy hee hee

[ThePhantomFlanFlinger]

spud the mackem, on 26 April 2012 - 07:35 PM, said:

Ah but wormies are Edible so the S.A.S. and Royal Marines and Para's tell us,in their survival guides.Curried Wormy and Flied Lice yummy hee hee

Its because they are full of protein but you dont cook them...you swallow them wriggling for them to be at there best.They taste of nothing mind..

Edited by BrianPotter, 26 April 2012 - 07:40 PM.

[spud the mackem]

BrianPotter, on 26 April 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:

Its because they are full of protein but you dont cook them...you swallow them wriggling for them to be at there best.They taste of nothing mind..

I havent tried one but I guess if you want to be in a top Regiment you'll go for it..but Limpets are a bit chewy, I've tried them..

[Flibbertigibbet]

Leonardo, on 26 April 2012 - 07:14 PM, said:

None in legend that I know of, but some are four-legged and winged which would make them hexapods regardless.

That's the most common sort in fact.

spud the mackem, on 26 April 2012 - 07:35 PM, said:

Ah but wormies are Edible so the S.A.S. and Royal Marines and Para's tell us,in their survival guides.Curried Wormy and Flied Lice yummy hee hee

Eeeeuuugh.