Devon / Westcountry weather lore #16 June

Quercus cerris (Turkey Oak) at Hillersdon House, Devon, in June - under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. by http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Flynnbar&action=edit

"A dry May and a rainy June,
Puts the farmer's pipe in tune.
 

A misty May and a hot June,
Makes the harvest come right soon.

A dripping June brings all things in tune.

A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon.

Before St. John's day we pray for rain, after that we get it anyhow.
 

The change which takes place in the voice of the cuckoo is thus quaintly described by a sixteenth century poet

In April the coo-coo can sing her song by rote,
In June oft time she cannot sing a note ;
At first koo-koo ! koo-koo ! sings till she can do,
At last kooke-kooke-kooke ; six kookes to one koo."

Hewett 1900

 

 

Saint Columb and the hurling of the silver ball #2

Silver Hurling ball from Saint Columb - Original photo by Denis Ellery reproduced with permission. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. (I cant find the name of the contributor)

[cont.] "...Passing from pancakes to “hurling,” it may be necessary, for the sake of the uninitiated, to explain what hurling is. It is not an eatable, as might be supposed from its association with pancakes, but a wild rough-and-tumble game. A silver ball, or rather a hard wood ball, the size of a cricket-ball, eased in silver, and costing about three guineas, is provided by public subscription, or by some generous patron of the game; and on the silver casing is engraved a legend beginning—

“Town and Country do your best,

for in this Parish I must rest.”

The game consists in a contest between the townsfolk and the country-folk. Two goals (granite stones, resembling drinking-troughs) stand two miles apart, one a mile on the road to Newquay, and the other a mile on the Padstow road. One is the Town goal, and the other the Country. The hurling starts from the market-place, and the side that first plants the ball in its goal wins.

For weeks previous to Shrove Tuesday both sides are busy practising in the lanes and fields, and for this purpose “lattice balls" are used—that is, wood balls cased with tin; and it is surprising how quickly the hands are accustomed to catch the ball, even when thrown with great force. The game starts at 4.30 p.m., and throughout the afternoon the country-folk, young farmers, farm-labourers, village tailors, blacksmiths, and shoemakers may be seen pouring into the town, the majority wearing white ‘smock-frocks and warlike countenances..." [cont.]

Burrow 1899

Map - Saint Columb

The Boy's Own Annual. Volume 21. 1898 - 1899

Devon charm to cure the Kings Evil, or Scrofula, or cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy .

King's Evil, Scrofula, or cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy are all the same disease.

"After morning service in the parish church, the nearest male relative, in the case of a woman ; or in the case of a man, the nearest female relative, stations him or her self, on the right-hand side of the porch, holding his or her hat, into which young men (or women), between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one, drop a penny to the number of thirty. The pennies so collected are changed for a silver half-crown. The centre of this coin is cut out, and the outer ring is suspended as a charm to the neck of the afflicted person. The centre piece is reserved until the next funeral takes place, when it is dropped into the grave just before the coffin is lowered into it."

Hewett 1900

Devon Dreams T-Z

Teeth.
To dream of, are the most unlucky of all things. If they fall out it signifies much sickness, if they all drop from the gums, death.

Ships.
Sailing in clear water are favourable omens, but if the water be murky, most unfavourable.

Silver Coins.
Picking them up, unless there be gold with them, is significant of impecuniosity.

Ugliness.
If you see yourself reflected as very ugly it is an omen of success.

Umbrellas.
If you lose them it signifies losses in business.

Valentine. 
Dreaming of receiving one is a bad sign, illness and trouble will soon be upon you.

Violin. 
If you are playing on one in your dream, it denotes speedy marriage ; unless a string breaks, then you will not marry at all.

Water. 
Dreaming of water, if it be clear will bring good news, if dirty, bad news is at hand.

Wedding.
One dreamed of signifies a funeral.

Yachting 
in clear water on a sunny day is prophetic of very great happiness.

Yew-trees.
You will hear of the death of an aged person in whom you have a vested interest.

Hewett 1900

Hewett's Haloween - Part 2 - Fortune telling with playing cards.

"Mary suggested that All Hallowe'en should be observed with due ceremony, as indeed it was. The amusements began with fortune-telling by cards, at which Maggie the eldest daughter was an adept. The fortunes were appraised as "not up to much," and as no one crossed Maggie's hand with a piece of silver, the cards were swept aside."

Hewett 1900

Map - Haldon Hills

Some Cornish Pilchard Lore

"Cornish Sardines" Pilchards, Newlyn, 2004  - Richard Greenwood [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"The pilchards are the especial treasure of the Cornish fishermen; and when tidings come of vast shoals of "the silvery fish having passed the Land's End like a marine army, led by its chief, King Pilchard," the men of the coast are eager to meet them. Immense quantities are taken, and bring comfort to many a seaside home. There are even superstitions attached to these piscatory guests. If, when they are packed side by side after salting, a loud noise is heard - the breaking of the air-bladders in the fish - it is a good omen; they are thought to be calling to more pilchards to follow them. It is also considered unlucky to eat a pilchard from the head; it should be eaten from the tail, say the fisher folk of Mousehole and Newlyn."

Valentine (undated)

Map - Land's End

Map - Mousehole

Map - Newlyn

Prince Henry and the death of King Rufus in the New Forest

"Prince Henry shared in the family love of sport, but had often been so poor as not to have even a horse to chase the deer, and used to follow it on foot. But now he was friends with Rufus, and had the silver his father had left him, consequently he was able to hunt with the king on that memorable and of August. But being separated from the royal hunt while pursuing his game in a glen of the forest, he, by accident, broke the string of his cross-bow, and seeing a forester's hut near, he went to it to see if he could get it replaced. As he entered an old woman advanced to meet him, and addressed to him in Norman French these lines:-

"Hasty news to thee I bring,
Henry, thou art now a king;
Mark the words and heed them well,
Which to thee in truth I tell,
And recall them in the hour
Of thy state and kingly power."

She then passed swiftly from the hut, and at the same moment Henry heard the cries of those who had found Rufus's body: "The king is killed - the king is dead," and at once springing to his horse rode full speed off to Winchester to seize the royal treasure and obtain the crown. Butewit, the royal treasurer, strove to get there before him and save the treasure for Robert; but Henry won the day, and being chosen king by the Commons, was (on the third day after Rufus's death) crowned King of England.

The old sibyl had doubtless seen the king dead previously. We do not hear if Henry ever saw her again."

Valentine (undated)

Map - New Forest
Map - Winchester

Annie Jefferies and the Fairies - part 3

'...This gentleman looked so sweetly on Anne that she was charmed beyond measure, and she put down her hand as if shake hands with her little friend, when he jumped into her palm and she lifted him into her lap. He then, without any more ad clambered upon her bosom and neck, and began kissing her. Anne never felt so charmed in her life as while this one little gentleman was playing with her; but presently he called his companion and they all clambered up by her dress as best they could, and kissed her neck, her lips, and her eyes. One of them ran his fingers over her eyes, and she felt as if they had been pricked with a pin. Suddenly Anne became blind, and she felt herself whirled through the air at a great rate. By and by, one of her little companions said something which sounded like "Tear away," and lo! Anne had her sight at once restored. She was in one of the most beautiful places -- temples and palaces of gold and silver. Trees laden with fruits and flowers. Lakes full of gold and silver fish and the air full of birds of the sweetest song, and the more brilliant colours. Hundreds of ladies and gentlemen were walking about. Hundreds more were idling in the most luxurious bowers, the fragrance of the flowers oppressing them with sense of delicious repose. Hundreds were also dancing, engaged in sports of various kinds. Anne was, however, surprised to find that these happy people were no longer the small people she had previously seen. There was now no more than the difference usually seen in a crowd, between their height and her own...' [cont.]

Hunt 1903

St Levan Fairies

'YEARS since--the time is past now--the green outside the gate at the end of Trezidder Lane was a favourite place with the Small Folks on which to hold their fairs. One might often see the rings in the grass which they made in dancing, where they footed it. Mr Trezillian was returning late one night from Penzance; when he came near the gate, he saw a number of little creatures spinning round and round. The sight made him light-headed, but he could not resist the desire to be amongst them, so he got off his horse. In a moment they were all over him like a swarm of bees, and he felt as if they were sticking needles and pins into him. His horse ran ofl and he didn't know what to do, till, by good luck, he thought of what he had often heard, so he turned his glove inside out, threw it amongst the Small Folk, and ere the glove reached the ground they were all gone. Mr Trezillian had now to find his horse, and the Small Folk, still determining to lead him a dance, bewildered him. He was piskie-led, and he could not find out where he was until broad daylight. Then he saw he was not a hundred yards from the place at which he had left his horse. On looking round the spot where he had seen the Small Folk dancing, be found a pair of very small silver knee-buckles of a most ancient shape, which, no doubt, some little gentleman must have lost when he was punishing the farmer. Those who knew the families will well remember the little silver buckles, which were kept for some time at Trezidder and some time at Raftra.'

Hunt 1903

The Fairy Widower - part 5

'... "Now," said he again, "I must introduce you to your little charge." He led Jenny into a noble mansion in which all the furniture was of pearl and ivory, inlaid with gold and silver, and studded with emeralds. After passing through many rooms, they came at length to one which was hung all over with lace, as fine as the finest cobweb, most beautifully worked with flowers; and, in the middle of this room was a little cot made out of some beautiful sea-shell, which reflected so many colours that Jenny could scarcely bear to look at it. She was led to the side of this, and she saw, as she said, "One of God's sweetest angels sleeping there." The little boy was so beautiful that she was ravished with delight.

"This is your charge," said the father; "I am the king in this land, and I have my own reasons for wishing my boy to know something of human nature. Now you have nothing to do but to wash and dress the boy when he wakes, to take him to walk in the garden, and to put him to bed when he is weary."...' [cont.]

Hunt 1903

Fairy revel

'RICHARD also once witnessed a fairy revel in the Towen--upon which tables were spread, with the utmost profusion of gold and silver ornaments, and fruits and flowers. Richard however, according to the statement of " Aunt Alcey" (the name by which his wife was familiarly called), very foolishly interrupted the feast by some exclamation of surprise; whereas, had he but touched the end of a table with his finger, it would have been impossible for the fairy host to have removed an article, as that which has been touched by mortal fingers becomes to them accursed. As it was, the lovely vision faded before the eyes of the astonished labourer.,

Hunt 1903

Fairy Revels on the Gump, St Just - Part 3

'...The brilliancy of the scene nearly overpowered the old man; but, when he was least prepared for it, the illumination became a thousand times more intense. Out of the hill were crowding thousands upon thousands of lovely ladies and gentlemen, arrayed in the most costly attire. He thought there would be no end to the coming crowd. By and by, however, the music suddenly changed, and the harmonious sounds which fell upon his ears appeared to give new life to every sense. His eyes were clearer, his ears quicker, and his sense of smell more exquisite.

The odours of flowers, more delicious than any he had eves smelt, filled the air. He saw, without any disturbing medium, the brilliant beauty of the thousands of ladies who were now upon the Gump; and their voices were united in one gush of song, which was clear as silver bells--a hymeneal symphony of the utmost delicacy. The words were in a language unknown to him, but he saw they were directed towards a new group now emerging from the hill....' [cont.]

Hunt 1903

Fairy Revels on the Gump, St Just - Part 2

'...Every blade of grass was hung with lamps, and every furze bush was illuminated with stars Out from the opening in the hill marched a host of spriggans, as if to clear the road. Then came an immense number of musicians playing on every kind of instrument. These were followed by troop after troop of soldiers, each troop bearing aloft their banner, which appeared to spread itself, to display its blazonry, without the assistance of any breeze. All these arranged themselves in order over the ground, some here and some there. One thing was not at all to our friend's liking; several hundreds of the most grotesque of the spriggans placed themselves so as to enclose the spot on which he was standing. Yet, as they were none of them higher than his shoe-tie, he thought he could "squash" them easily with his foot if they were up to any mischief and so he consoled himself. This vast array having disposed of themselves, first came a crowd of servants bearing vessels of silver and vessels of gold, goblets cut out of diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones. There were others laden, almost to overflowing, with the richest meats, pastry, preserves, and fruits. Presently the ground was covered with tables and everything was arranged in the most systematic order,--each party failing back as they disposed of their burdens...' {cont.]

Hunt 1903

Nursing a Fairie - part 1

'A THRIFTY housewife lived on one of the hills between Zennor Church-town and St Ives. One night a gentleman came to her cottage, and told her he had marked her cleanliness and her care that he had a child whom he desired to have brought up with much tenderness, and he had fixed on her. She should be very handsomely rewarded for her trouble, and he showed her a considerable quantity of golden coin. Well, she agreed, and away she went with the gentleman to fetch this child. When they came to the side of Zennor hill, the gentleman told the woman he must bindfold her, and she, good, easy soul, having heard of such things, fancied this was some rich man's child, and that the residence of its mother was not to be known, so she gave herself great credit for cunning in quietly submitting. They walked on some considerable distance. When they stopped the handkerchief was taken from her eyes, and she found herself in a magnificent room, with a table spread with the most expensive luxuries, in the way of game, fruits, and wines. She was told to eat, and she did so with some awkwardness, and not a little trembling. She was surprised that so large a feast should have been spread for so small a party,--only herself and the master. At last, having enjoyed luxuries such as she never tasted before or since, a silver bell was rung, and a troop of servants came in, bearing a cot covered with satin, in which was sleeping the most beautiful babe that human eyes ever gazed on. She was told this child was to be committed to her charge; she should not want for anything; but she was to obey certain laws. She was not to teach the child the Lord's Prayer; she was not to wash it after sundown she was to bathe it every morning in water, which she would find in a white ewer placed in the child's room this was not to be touched by any one but herself, and she was to be careful not to wash her own face in this water. - In all other respects she was to treat the child as one of her own children. The woman was blinded again, and the child having been placed in her arms, away she trudged, guided by the mysterious father...' [cont.]

Hunt 1903