The Folklore of Warwickshire
@warksfolklore.bsky.social
Exploring the folklore and folk life of Warwickshire. I can also be found at @hilaryrsparkes.bsky.social
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For years I’ve felt that the folklore of Warwickshire has been rather overlooked compared to that of regions. This account aims to go some way to rectifying this.
#folklore
#folklore
In Warwickshire snails were used in folk remedies for warts. These included rubbing the wart 9 times each way with the creature. A crueller example was where the snail was impaled to the earth with a thorn. As the snail died, so the wart faded.
#folkmedicine
#folkmedicine
November 29, 2025 at 8:38 AM
In Warwickshire snails were used in folk remedies for warts. These included rubbing the wart 9 times each way with the creature. A crueller example was where the snail was impaled to the earth with a thorn. As the snail died, so the wart faded.
#folkmedicine
#folkmedicine
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
A pirate treasure is rumored to be buried somewhere on Mississippi’s Deer Island, but it has never been found. According to local legend, this treasure is guarded by a headless skeleton who chases away anyone who gets too close to its hiding place. #PhantomsFriday
November 28, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A pirate treasure is rumored to be buried somewhere on Mississippi’s Deer Island, but it has never been found. According to local legend, this treasure is guarded by a headless skeleton who chases away anyone who gets too close to its hiding place. #PhantomsFriday
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
Anne Boleyn's spectral carriage is said to race past Blickling Hall every May 19th. At Hever Castle, her ghost is seen gliding over the River Eden bridge on Christmas Eve and under the oak tree where she and Henry VIll once courted.
art by Barrie Morris #PhantomsFriday
art by Barrie Morris #PhantomsFriday
November 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Anne Boleyn's spectral carriage is said to race past Blickling Hall every May 19th. At Hever Castle, her ghost is seen gliding over the River Eden bridge on Christmas Eve and under the oak tree where she and Henry VIll once courted.
art by Barrie Morris #PhantomsFriday
art by Barrie Morris #PhantomsFriday
In the early twentieth century there were a number of sightings of a ghost on the road from Shipston to Stratford nr the gates of Alscot Park. On one occasion a man saw it walk in front of his car and thru the park wall.
#PhantomsFriday
#PhantomsFriday
November 28, 2025 at 8:11 AM
In the early twentieth century there were a number of sightings of a ghost on the road from Shipston to Stratford nr the gates of Alscot Park. On one occasion a man saw it walk in front of his car and thru the park wall.
#PhantomsFriday
#PhantomsFriday
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
#PhantomsFriday again tomorrow, of course. I look forward to further fear-filled and fascinating #ghost stories old and new; #folklore; art; poems and bloodcurdling info on haunted sites. @phantomsfriday.bsky.social is the place to go.
#BookChatWeekly #booksky #artsky #legends #haunted
#BookChatWeekly #booksky #artsky #legends #haunted
November 27, 2025 at 1:22 PM
#PhantomsFriday again tomorrow, of course. I look forward to further fear-filled and fascinating #ghost stories old and new; #folklore; art; poems and bloodcurdling info on haunted sites. @phantomsfriday.bsky.social is the place to go.
#BookChatWeekly #booksky #artsky #legends #haunted
#BookChatWeekly #booksky #artsky #legends #haunted
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
In Irish folklore the cry of the owl heralded death and general ill fortune. To counter this, folk threw hot peppers or vinegar into the fire. They believed this would result in the owl getting a sore tongue and hence not be able to hoot and bring death... #LegendaryWednesday
🎨Doug Larue
🎨Doug Larue
November 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
In Irish folklore the cry of the owl heralded death and general ill fortune. To counter this, folk threw hot peppers or vinegar into the fire. They believed this would result in the owl getting a sore tongue and hence not be able to hoot and bring death... #LegendaryWednesday
🎨Doug Larue
🎨Doug Larue
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
Owls have been blamed and blessed in equal measure. To the Greeks they were wisdom perched in silence. To medieval villages they were death’s courier on soft wings. Same bird, different fear. #LegendaryWednesday
Art: The Colorful Art Studio
Art: The Colorful Art Studio
November 26, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Owls have been blamed and blessed in equal measure. To the Greeks they were wisdom perched in silence. To medieval villages they were death’s courier on soft wings. Same bird, different fear. #LegendaryWednesday
Art: The Colorful Art Studio
Art: The Colorful Art Studio
My favourite piece of Warwickshire bird lore as it’s so random:
If a peacock flies to your house, a death will follow.
#LegendaryWednesday
If a peacock flies to your house, a death will follow.
#LegendaryWednesday
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
My favourite piece of Warwickshire bird lore as it’s so random:
If a peacock flies to your house, a death will follow.
#LegendaryWednesday
If a peacock flies to your house, a death will follow.
#LegendaryWednesday
Beginning this week’s folk medicine tips for those suffering from the itch, the scritch, the palsy and the gout (or just generally under the weather) with a remedy from Snitterfield:
Drinking an infusion of blackberry leaves was believed to cure boils
Drinking an infusion of blackberry leaves was believed to cure boils
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Beginning this week’s folk medicine tips for those suffering from the itch, the scritch, the palsy and the gout (or just generally under the weather) with a remedy from Snitterfield:
Drinking an infusion of blackberry leaves was believed to cure boils
Drinking an infusion of blackberry leaves was believed to cure boils
Went to a fascinating talk on natural dyes at Compton Verney museum and gallery on Friday as they are establishing a dyer's garden there.
We could have a go at writing our names in ink made from oak galls. My handwriting is shocking II drew a pic instead 🙂
We could have a go at writing our names in ink made from oak galls. My handwriting is shocking II drew a pic instead 🙂
November 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Went to a fascinating talk on natural dyes at Compton Verney museum and gallery on Friday as they are establishing a dyer's garden there.
We could have a go at writing our names in ink made from oak galls. My handwriting is shocking II drew a pic instead 🙂
We could have a go at writing our names in ink made from oak galls. My handwriting is shocking II drew a pic instead 🙂
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
Stonehenge Free Festival 1980 with Hawkwind, Crass, The Mob, Poison Girls, Epileptics, and Nik Turner’s Inner City Unit
November 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Stonehenge Free Festival 1980 with Hawkwind, Crass, The Mob, Poison Girls, Epileptics, and Nik Turner’s Inner City Unit
One reputed Shipston witch had a Bible in which she underlined any reference to magic. Unfortunately her Bible was burned after it came into the possession of a man who regarded it as evil.
#FolkloreSunday
#FolkloreSunday
November 23, 2025 at 10:03 AM
One reputed Shipston witch had a Bible in which she underlined any reference to magic. Unfortunately her Bible was burned after it came into the possession of a man who regarded it as evil.
#FolkloreSunday
#FolkloreSunday
23 November is St Clement’s Day. In Warwickshire children would wander villages asking for treats and reciting the rhyme
Butler, butler, fill in your bowl.
If thou fill it of the best
The Lord'll send your soul to rest.
If thou fill it of the small
Down goes butler, bowl and all.
Butler, butler, fill in your bowl.
If thou fill it of the best
The Lord'll send your soul to rest.
If thou fill it of the small
Down goes butler, bowl and all.
November 23, 2025 at 8:12 AM
23 November is St Clement’s Day. In Warwickshire children would wander villages asking for treats and reciting the rhyme
Butler, butler, fill in your bowl.
If thou fill it of the best
The Lord'll send your soul to rest.
If thou fill it of the small
Down goes butler, bowl and all.
Butler, butler, fill in your bowl.
If thou fill it of the best
The Lord'll send your soul to rest.
If thou fill it of the small
Down goes butler, bowl and all.
In Warwickshire, pulped hares’ brains were given to calm restless new-born infants. It is recorded that in Alscot, up until the 20th C, a party of villagers would visit the lady of the manor to request a hare’s head so that its brains may be used for this purpose.
November 22, 2025 at 8:10 AM
In Warwickshire, pulped hares’ brains were given to calm restless new-born infants. It is recorded that in Alscot, up until the 20th C, a party of villagers would visit the lady of the manor to request a hare’s head so that its brains may be used for this purpose.
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
Sir John de Widderington was known as a just lord, but even a good man can make a bad error when troubles pile up. He rode from Barrasford to York to meet Wolsey, & together tackle reivers' lawlessness. And that's when he remembered he had the key to his castle dungeon in his pocket #PhantomsFriday
November 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Sir John de Widderington was known as a just lord, but even a good man can make a bad error when troubles pile up. He rode from Barrasford to York to meet Wolsey, & together tackle reivers' lawlessness. And that's when he remembered he had the key to his castle dungeon in his pocket #PhantomsFriday
A spectral nun in a brown habit has been seen a number of times in Nun’s Wood and Wappenbury Woods. On one occasion she actually approached one eyewitness and walked straight through him.
#PhantomsFriday
#PhantomsFriday
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
A spectral nun in a brown habit has been seen a number of times in Nun’s Wood and Wappenbury Woods. On one occasion she actually approached one eyewitness and walked straight through him.
#PhantomsFriday
#PhantomsFriday
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
The Unthanks - Magpie - Later... with Jools Holland - BBC
YouTube video by BBC
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 5:25 AM
A huge black dog, believed to be the reputed witch Moll Bloxham, once haunted Warwick Castle, terrorising the occupants.
After an exorcism the dog leapt from Caesar’s Tower into the river. According to folklore the black dog/Moll is still there, trapped beneath the fletcher dam.
#WyrdWednesday
After an exorcism the dog leapt from Caesar’s Tower into the river. According to folklore the black dog/Moll is still there, trapped beneath the fletcher dam.
#WyrdWednesday
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
A huge black dog, believed to be the reputed witch Moll Bloxham, once haunted Warwick Castle, terrorising the occupants.
After an exorcism the dog leapt from Caesar’s Tower into the river. According to folklore the black dog/Moll is still there, trapped beneath the fletcher dam.
#WyrdWednesday
After an exorcism the dog leapt from Caesar’s Tower into the river. According to folklore the black dog/Moll is still there, trapped beneath the fletcher dam.
#WyrdWednesday
Starting this week's folk remedies with a cure for styes from Stratford-upon-Avon:
Rub fur from a cat’s tail 9 times backwards across the affected eye.
Rub fur from a cat’s tail 9 times backwards across the affected eye.
November 18, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Starting this week's folk remedies with a cure for styes from Stratford-upon-Avon:
Rub fur from a cat’s tail 9 times backwards across the affected eye.
Rub fur from a cat’s tail 9 times backwards across the affected eye.
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
We wake to mornings of cold magic. Exhale dragon-breath, crunch frost-frozen leaves as we walk. The year is dying. We feel it as rush of ghosts, a shivering that foretells the blade of ice upon its neck. No wonder this is the season where folklore burns bright. – #DAKilroy, 1982 #Folklore
November 17, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
In old European folklore, houseleeks (Sempervivum tectorum) were grown on cottage roofs to guard against lightning and fire. Its little starry blooms and tight rosettes were thought to draw danger away from the hearth, keeping the household safe and sound. #FolkloreSunday
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM
In old European folklore, houseleeks (Sempervivum tectorum) were grown on cottage roofs to guard against lightning and fire. Its little starry blooms and tight rosettes were thought to draw danger away from the hearth, keeping the household safe and sound. #FolkloreSunday
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
💤🐁💤It was believed that the soul could escape the body in the form of a mouse during sleep - but if the sleeper was woken up suddenly, before the soul-mouse had the chance to return, they would die.
#FolkloreThursday #FolkyFriday #FolkloreSunday
#FolkloreThursday #FolkyFriday #FolkloreSunday
November 13, 2025 at 10:30 PM
💤🐁💤It was believed that the soul could escape the body in the form of a mouse during sleep - but if the sleeper was woken up suddenly, before the soul-mouse had the chance to return, they would die.
#FolkloreThursday #FolkyFriday #FolkloreSunday
#FolkloreThursday #FolkyFriday #FolkloreSunday
Some more folk medicine for the weekend:
In Warwickshire, leaves and shoots from wild plants like young nettles, cleavers and ale hoof were added to the March brewing of a mild ale consumed by infants. Known as Herb beer, it was believed to help prevent “Spring rash”. 🧵
In Warwickshire, leaves and shoots from wild plants like young nettles, cleavers and ale hoof were added to the March brewing of a mild ale consumed by infants. Known as Herb beer, it was believed to help prevent “Spring rash”. 🧵
November 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Some more folk medicine for the weekend:
In Warwickshire, leaves and shoots from wild plants like young nettles, cleavers and ale hoof were added to the March brewing of a mild ale consumed by infants. Known as Herb beer, it was believed to help prevent “Spring rash”. 🧵
In Warwickshire, leaves and shoots from wild plants like young nettles, cleavers and ale hoof were added to the March brewing of a mild ale consumed by infants. Known as Herb beer, it was believed to help prevent “Spring rash”. 🧵
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
In a tale recorded in James Bowker's 'Goblin Tales of Lancashire,' a young man named Giles became so infatuated with the phantom of a beautiful woman he encounters while crossing Fair Snape Fell late one night that his obsession with seeing her again led to a tragic end. #PhantomsFriday
November 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
In a tale recorded in James Bowker's 'Goblin Tales of Lancashire,' a young man named Giles became so infatuated with the phantom of a beautiful woman he encounters while crossing Fair Snape Fell late one night that his obsession with seeing her again led to a tragic end. #PhantomsFriday
Reposted by The Folklore of Warwickshire
A tale of the 'Sleeping Knight' variety is recorded about an ancient barrow near #Cirencester. In 1685 two treasure hunters woke up a figure in armour holding two severed heads. It lashed out at them with a 'truncheon' and they made a quick exit as the mound collapsed.
#PhantomsFriday #FolkyFriday
#PhantomsFriday #FolkyFriday
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
A tale of the 'Sleeping Knight' variety is recorded about an ancient barrow near #Cirencester. In 1685 two treasure hunters woke up a figure in armour holding two severed heads. It lashed out at them with a 'truncheon' and they made a quick exit as the mound collapsed.
#PhantomsFriday #FolkyFriday
#PhantomsFriday #FolkyFriday