Icy Sedgwick's Blog, page 44
March 9, 2017
Did the Queen Rat of London really live in the sewers?
If you’ve read China Miéville’s King Rat, then you’ll know dark things can stir beneath London. But perhaps it’s not a King Rat. Perhaps it’s a Queen Rat. Only those who venture into the deep, dark places would encounter such a creature. Let me introduce you to the toshers. What does a tosher do? When the River...
The post Did the Queen Rat of London really live in the sewers? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
March 2, 2017
Who is the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street?
The Bank of England has stood on Threadneedle Street since 1734. With such a long history, you’d expect it, and the area, to be haunted. The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street is a favourite story on ghost walks around the City of London. But is it entirely accurate? Let’s delve into this slice of London...
The post Who is the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
February 23, 2017
Did treasure once lie in the Wizard’s Cave of Tynemouth?
Tynemouth Castle & Priory stand on a lonely promontory intruding into the savage North Sea. But local legends claim a mysterious Wizard’s Cave lies hidden in the cliffs below the ruins. Scholars believe Edwin of Northumbria founded Tynemouth Priory in the early 7th century. And tales abound of ghostly monks loitering among the ruins. But we’re...
The post Did treasure once lie in the Wizard’s Cave of Tynemouth? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
February 16, 2017
Who are the Rothley fairies and what happens if you cross them?
We’ve discussed Northumbrian fairies before, but this time we’re going to explore two tales of the Rothley fairies. The village lies 2 miles north-east of Cambo and 6 miles west of Morpeth. It’s also known for this rather attractive 18th-century folly, Rothley Castle. Incidentally, Rothley is around 14 miles from Brinkburn. Perhaps the Rothley fairies use...
The post Who are the Rothley fairies and what happens if you cross them? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
February 9, 2017
What is the legend of the Brinkburn Bells in Northumberland?
According to local legend, the Brinkburn Bells now ring in Durham Cathedral. Or do they? As with any legends, other versions exist that place the bells in the river Coquet. Perhaps the water carries the ringing of bells as it winds its way through Northumberland. Either way, several tales of the Brinkburn Bells resound through...
The post What is the legend of the Brinkburn Bells in Northumberland? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
February 2, 2017
Who was the Grey Man of Bellister?
Many lonely and remote parts of the UK echo with tales of local spirits. The Grey Man of Bellister is no exception. Fond of a (now) ruined castle and a broken road, the Grey Man wanders in twilight. Yet he’s not a regular presence. Some believe he hasn’t been seen for at least 50 years....
The post Who was the Grey Man of Bellister? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
January 26, 2017
Numbers in folklore: Why are 3, 7 and 9 important?
Try searching for numbers in folklore. You’ll find all manner of things about mystical maths and sacred numbers. It seems ancient people loved numbers. In the 6th Century BCE, the Greek Pythagoreans founded a system based on numerology. For them, the first 9 numbers held sacred meanings. 3 represented Harmony since 1 meant Unity, and 2 meant...
The post Numbers in folklore: Why are 3, 7 and 9 important? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
January 23, 2017
What is the dark secret beneath Newcastle’s Black Gate?
Walk south along St Nicholas’ Street in Newcastle and you’ll spot a medieval building on your left. Surrounded by the behemoth of Milburn House and the engineering of the railway arches, it seems out of place. But the Black Gate once stood as the entrance to the formidable Castle Keep. This 13th-century barbican repelled invaders...
The post What is the dark secret beneath Newcastle’s Black Gate? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
January 19, 2017
What Is The Witching Hour And Does It Exist?
If you’ve hung around folklore for long, you’ve probably heard of the witching hour. In the occult, it’s apparently that time when witches and demons are at their most powerful. It does also have usage in different areas. So the time your baby might cry every night, or even stock market volatility, is sometimes called...
The post What Is The Witching Hour And Does It Exist? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
January 16, 2017
Who are the 3 sad phantoms of Chillingham Castle?
Chillingham Castle stands in Northumberland, some 14 miles north of Alnwick. It dates back to the tumultuous days of the 12th century. Even Edward I, Hammer of the Scots, stayed here on his journey north in 1298. The castle boasts a dungeon beneath the north eastern tower. A rack, an iron maiden and various other...
The post Who are the 3 sad phantoms of Chillingham Castle? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
