Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/121

 THE GIANT OF WORSLEY. and manor are said to date their foundation from about the time of the Conquest. At that time the owner was an eminent hero, whose deeds are recorded in ancient romance. Eliseus de Workesley or Worsley was one of the first Norman barons who raised his vassals and joined in the first crusade. His personal acquaintance with Robert, Duke of Normandy, is said to have induced him to accompany his friend and patron in attempting to rescue the Holy Land from the hands of the Saracens. It was for this too that Robert relinquished his claims to the English crown, and mortgaged the revenues of his Norman duchy. Eliseus de Worsley met with numerous enemies in the forms of giants, Saracens, and dragons, all of which he conquered and slew. On arriving at Rhodes, he emulated "More of More Hall," by encountering a venomous serpent which was devastating the district. In this combat, however, he was unsuccessful; for the serpent is said to have stung him so severely that he died and was buried on the spot. In Hopkinson's MS. "Pedigrees of the North Riding of Yorkshire" (fol. 483), is a notice of him which states that "he was of such strength and valour that he was a reputed giant, and in old scrips [writings,] is often called 'Elias Gigas.' He fought many duels, combats, &c., for the love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and obtained many victories." These undoubtedly gave rise to the legend; the serpent being probably selected to typify the crafty dealings by which some rapacious landowner sought to enrich himself at the expense of others.