The Folklore and Ghost Stories of Wales - A Historical Article on the Myths and Legends of Wales

By Marie Trevelyan

This book contains classic material dating back to the 1900s and before. The content has been carefully selected for its interest and relevance to a modern audience. Carefully selecting the best articles from our collection we have compiled a series of historical and informative publications on the subject of Welsh history. The titles in this range include "A History of Religion in Wales" "The Romans in Wales" "A Guide to the Welsh Language" and many more. Each publication has been professionally curated and includes all details on the original source material. This particular instalment, "The Folklore and Ghost Stories of Wales" contains information on the legends and mythology of Wales. Intended to illustrate the main features of Welsh folklore it is a comprehensive guide for anyone wishing to enjoy the tales and understand them in their historical context. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Sep 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781473356382

Book preview

The Folklore and

Ghost Stories of

Wales

A Historical Article on the

Myths and Legends of

Wales

By

Marie Trevelyan

Copyright © 2011 Read Books Ltd.

This book is copyright and may not be

reproduced or copied in any way without

the express permission of the publisher in writing

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from

the British Library

Contents

FOLKLORE AND GHOST STORIES.

FOLKLORE AND GHOST STORIES.

LIKE sea-weed drifting hither and thither upon the restless tides, the folklore of a land drifts from place to place, and is subject to many changes.

Nearly every county in Wales has, with few exceptions, the same folklore, diversified by local colouring, or adapted to surrounding circumstances and scenery.

Thus we find the weather-lore varying with change of district.

In the mountainous parts of South Wales, clouds hanging heavily around the craggy summits that rear their lofty heads to the skies, are said to portend fair weather, while, if distant mountains are clearly seen, rain may be expected.

All along the sea-board of Glamorganshire, people say, If you see the English hills distinctly, you may be sure rain is not far off, while a dense haze enveloping the Severn Sea is indicative of fair weather.

Iolo Morganwg—Edward Williams, the bard—sang:—

"When the proud waves of Severn are roaring aloud

And Penlline’s lofty towers are involved in a cloud,

If true the old proverb, a shower of rain

Is brooding aloft, and will soon drench the plain."

Another Glamorganshire weather proverb runs thus:—

"When Breaksea Point doth roar and cry,

Gileston lane is never dry."

When the stone floors are damp and giving, the women say it’s a sign of great heat.

If a cord snaps, rain is near.

Sea-gulls flying seaward betoken fair weather; when they fly landward, a storm is coming.

If on a calm day the sea makes a great noise, a storm may be expected.

Another Welsh weather proverb is this:—

"February’s winds, when at their best,

Will blow the goose from off her nest,"

Crows flying low portend rain.

When the aspen leaves make a great commotion, rain may be expected.

"If a donkey brays in the morning,

Let the haymakers take a warning;

If the donkey brays late at night,

Let the haymakers take delight."

When many water-wagtails appear, the people say, Rain is coming, and we shall have a spell of it, and the children sing:—

"Little lady wash dish

Stops us to catch fish."

If the pigs squeak immoderately, high winds may be expected.

When a door creaks noisily on its hinges, rain is coming.

Many porpoises seen in the Bristol Channel is a token of fair and unusually warm weather.

When the hay-crop is light, the