More Guernsey Folklore Tales – The Singing Rock & The Broken Kettle
A small island community like Guernsey is rich in folklore tales. Here are but two such tales …
The Broken Kettle : Creux es Faies – Fairies’ Cave
a kind action never goes without its reward
Near Lihou Island is a prehistoric passage grave known as Les Creux es Faies or Fairies Cave. Former Baliff of Guernsey Sir Edgar McCulloch, in his book “Guernsey Folklore”, relates the following story about the activities around this cave :
“Two men were at work in a field near L’Eree, when suddenly their plough stopped. As they looked about them they saw an iron kettle, such as was formerly used for baking bread and cake on the hearth.
On approaching it they noticed that it contained a bit which had been broken out of the side, and a couple of nails. On stooping to lift it, they heard a voice desiring them to get it mended, and when done to replace it on the same spot where they had found it. They complied with the request, went to the nearest smith, and on their return to the field with the kettle, which they replaced as directed, continued their work, the plough moving as readily as before.
They had completed several furrows when a second time the plough remained stationary. On this occasion they observed a bundle neatly tied up lying near them, and, on opening it, found it to contain a newly-baked cake, quite warm, and a bottle of cider. At the same time they were again addressed by their invisible friend, who bade them eat and drink without fear, thanked them for the readiness with which they had attended to his wishes, and assured them that a kind action never goes without its reward.“
La Rocque Qui Sonne – The Singing Rock
The remains of what would have been Guernsey’s largest megalithic monument – “Le Rocque Qui Sonne”, discovered by F. C. Lukis and his sons in 1837 now lies in the Vale school playground.
The legend attached to this ancient dolmen goes something like this :
A Mr James Hocart, who owned the land, wanted to use the stone from the dolmen to build himself a new house. The locals, highly suspicious of anyone touching these ancient structures, warned of certain doom befalling him if he broke up the dolmen but to no avail.
However, Hocart ignored the warnings and ordered his men to break up the stones. As the masons tried to break the stones it is said the ringing noise they made could be heard all over the Clos du Valle and as far away as Vale Church.
The day came when ‘Belval’ ,Mr Hocarts new house, was completed, but it burned down within the year killing two maids. This was only the beginning though. Some of the stone had been sold and was to be shipped to England in 2 boats owned by Mr Hocart. Both boats were sunk en-route.
Mr Hocart then moved to Aldereney where again his house was reduced to ashes. Returnimg from Alderney he was finally killed in a bizarre accident when a part of the ships rigging fell on him , killing him instantly.
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