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Devon

Folklore of Devon

The year ahead

Monday 28 September 2026

Folklore from the old calendars

Griggling No longer kept Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, SomersetAfter the orchards had been picked, farmers left the small apples, called griggles, on the trees for the village boys.

Wednesday 23 December 2026

Folklore from the old calendars

The Oxenham bird Lore and belief DevonThe Oxenham family of South Tawton, near Okehampton, were said to be warned of every death among them by a bird with a white breast, which fluttered about the dying person's bed and then vanished.

Thursday 24 December 2026

Folklore from the old calendars

The kneeling oxen Lore and belief Cornwall, DevonIn west Devon and Cornwall it was believed that at midnight on Christmas Eve the oxen in their stalls knelt as if in prayer, and after the change of calendar they were said to do it only on Old Christmas Eve.
The Christmas Eve orchard wassail Still kept Devon, Hampshire, NorfolkOn Christmas Eve in parts of Devon the farmer, his family and friends ate hot cakes dipped in cider, then carried cake and cider to the chief apple tree in the orchard.
The ashen faggot Still kept DevonIn Devon the Yule log took the form of the ashen faggot, a bundle of ash sticks bound with bands of ash, ideally nine of them.

Tuesday 5 January 2027

Folklore from the old calendars

Wassailing the Apple Trees Still kept DevonOn Twelfth Night eve the Devon farmer took his men into the orchard with a pitcher of cider, and they circled one of the best-bearing trees and drank to it three times with a rhyme wishing it hats full, caps full and sacks full of apples.

Sunday 4 April 2027

Folklore from the old calendars

Drawing blood from a witch Lore and belief Devon, SomersetA woman of Wiveliscombe believed her daughter had been bewitched for a year by an old neighbour, Mrs Burges, and consulted old Baker, the Devonshire wizard, who gave her a charm and a medicine.

Sunday 1 August 2027

Folklore from the old calendars

The Exeter Lammas Glove Still kept DevonExeter's Lammas Fair was opened with a glove of immense size, stuffed and carried through the city on a very long pole dressed with ribbons and flowers, followed by music, the parish beadles and a crowd.

Friday 24 September 2027

Folklore from the old calendars

Crying the Neck Still kept Devon, West CountryIn Devon the last handful of standing corn was called the nack or neck.

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