Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25256

Title

Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

John Roby's *Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2* offers a rich tapestry of regional folklore, blending historical anecdotes with supernatural legends from the Lancashire countryside. Featuring tales like *The Fairies' Chapel* and *The Demon of the Well*, the book captures the moody atmosphere of the North West, exploring themes of superstition, feudal history, and the enduring power of local myth.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume II of *Traditions of Lancashire*, John Roby continues his exploration of the region's folklore, history, and landscape, centering on the hamlet of Healey and the surrounding Spodden valley. The volume opens with a detailed history of Healey Hall, tracing its evolution from a timber structure to a stone mansion erected in 1620 by Oliver Chadwick. Roby notes a superstitious belief that the hall's crumbling east wall in 1756 foretold the death of its owner, Charles Chadwick, which occurred shortly thereafter. The text also investigates local etymology, linking surnames like Chadwick and De Heley to Saxon origins and the geography of the area, while recounting a dramatic 1745 incident involving a loyalist family who cleverly avoided paying taxes to Jacobite rebels. The narrative shifts to the region's supernatural reputation, describing the scenic yet eerie beauty of the 'Thrutch,' a rugged channel where the river Spodden flows. Here, Roby presents a chilling legend involving a father and son who encounter a 'Spectre Horseman' and a devilish figure on the moors near the 'Two Lads.' The stranger lures them to a mysterious hole in the ground from which a black arm emerges, terrifying the father before he escapes, only to learn later that another gentleman vanished into the bog that same night. These tales ground the supernatural in tangible historical contexts, such as the Druidical rites and ancient boundary stones. Interspersed with these local legends is a dramatic narrative set in ancient Rome. It follows a Briton named Cedric, who attempts to steal a magic cup from Emperor Caracalla. Betrayed by a slave, Cedric is brought before the emperor but uses his wit to expose a conspiracy, leading to the arrest of traitors and the pardon of the emperor. Throughout the volume, Roby intersperses historical footnotes regarding local families, monastic institutions, and geological features, creating a work that serves as both a guide to Lancashire's folklore and a historical record of the area's social and religious life.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• English Literature
• Legends