Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/295

Rh ''Associated Architec. Societies'', 1859, pp. 82, 83. Cf. Walbran's Guide to Ripon, 12th ed. 1875, p. 67.

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Flax in Folk-lore.—(Ante, p. 254).—Perhaps the following extract from my Flowers and Flower-lore,^ vol. i. p. 134, may throw light on the subject. "We are told that it is customary in one part of Germany for the bride to place flax in her shoes, that she may never come to want. In another place she will tie a string of flax around her left leg, in the belief that she will thereby enjoy the full blessing of the marriage state." See also page 180 for the association of this plant, with other branches of folk-lore. From Liddell and Scott we learn that the word λινον was used metaphorically to signify the thread spun by the Fates, so that flax has long had a mysterious association with the well-being of man. In fact, as Count A. de Gubernates says: "Le lin est symbole de vie de végétation facile et abondante." Vide Mythologie des Plantes, vol. ii. p. 199. It is one of the famous springwurzel, whence we find it known iu Würtemburg as springlein and schliesslein, both interesting words in this connexion.

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Worksop.

Notes from Leland's Itinerary (Hearne).— At Kenchester Roman money found there "the people calleth Dwarfes mony."—Vol. v. p. 62. "The first river be side Tyue that I passid over was Clardue. . . . . . . I saw ii hillettes, thorough the wich Clarduy passith, wher they fable that a Gigant striding was wont to wasch his hondes, and that Arture killid hym. The Dwellers say also that the Gigant was buried therby, and shew the place."—Vol. v. p. 78. "To Borow Hilles [from Burton Lazar] more than ii miles . . . . . . [it] is duble dichid and conteinith within the Dishe to my estimation a iiii score Acres. . . . . . . To thes Borow Hilles every yere on Monday after Whitesonday cum people of the Contery therabowt, and shote, renne, wrastel, dawnce, and use like other Feates of exercyse."—Vol. v. p. 100. "Mougreve Castelle stondith on a Craggy Hille, and on each side of it is an Hille far higher then that whereon the Castelle stondith on. The North Hille on the Toppe of it hath certen stones communely caullid Waddes Grave, whom the people there say to have bene a Gigant and Owner of Mougreve."—Vol, i. p. 60.