-
Shag Foals: the Lackey Causey Calf
Susanna O’Neill writes about the Lackey Causey Calf, which tried to lure people into a stream between Wrawby and Brigg with the lights of its eyes. In some versions of the narrative, however, it does so while also being headless.
-
The Lincolnshire Poacher
In Folklore of Lincolnshire (2013), Susanna O’Neill notes that the song is ‘akin to the National Anthem for Lincolnshire’. It has given its name to several pubs in the county (and another in Nottingham)…
-
The Ungrateful Sons
Mr Lacy leaves all his possessions to his three sons, on condition that they each take care of him, for one week at a time. The sons, thus rewarded, regard caring for their father as an unfortunate chore and mistreat him, so the old man goes to see a friend who was a lawyer…
-
Old Jeffrey
One of England’s most famous poltergeists, and inspiration for many subsequent ghost stories. The poltergeist was reported to haunt Epworth Rectory, the childhood home of John and Charles Wesley (subsequently the founders of Methodism), for three months between 1716 and 1717…
-
Tom Hickathrift
Legendary giant-killer, large and with superhuman strength but not himself a giant. He is comparable to the eponymous hero of the Cornish fairy tale ‘Jack the Giant Killer’, and possibly originates from the Norse god Thor…
-
Grim & Boundel
In the times before the Vikings first came to Lindsey, and during a period of drought, a big sea captain known as Little Grim heard about two magic stones in the possession of the Danish king that, when hit with sticks of hazel, would make rain fall…
Lincolnshire Folk Tales Project 