The Luck of Edenhall

31 October · Edenhall, near Penrith, Cumberland

Lore and belief

Cumberland

The Musgrave family of Edenhall kept an old painted glass drinking cup as a treasured heirloom. The story was that their butler, drawing water at St Cuthbert’s well in the garden one night, came upon fairies dancing beside it and snatched the glass from them. As they fled the fairies cried that if the glass broke, the luck of Edenhall would go with it. Chambers thought the story grew from how thin and breakable the glass was.

The elves were worsted, and, thereupon took to flight, exclaiming: 'If this glass do break or fall, Farewell the luck of Edenhall!'

From Chambers's Book of Days, vol. 2, p. 522. Read the original

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Folklore from the old calendars

Lating the Witches No longer kept LancashireOn Hallowe'en a party led by an old woman went round the bigger houses near Longridge Fell asking for lating candles, one for each person in the household.
Ale for Shony No longer kept Outer HebridesAt Hallowtide the people of Lewis met at the church of St Mulvay, each family bringing malt that was brewed into ale.
Coel Coeth No longer kept North WalesOn All Saints' Eve every family in North Wales lit a large bonfire, called Coel Coeth, in the most prominent spot near the house.
The Apple and the Looking-Glass Lore and belief ScotlandA girl who wanted to see her future husband went alone with a candle to a looking-glass on Hallowe'en and ate an apple in front of it, some said while combing her hair.
Pulling the Kail Stocks No longer kept ScotlandThe first rite of a Scottish Hallowe'en was to go out hand in hand, eyes shut, into the kailyard and each pull the first cabbage stalk they touched.
Burning the Nuts Lore and belief England, Ireland, ScotlandOn Hallowe'en a pair of nuts was named for a lad and a lass and laid in the fire.
Nutcrack Night Still kept Northern EnglandIn the north of England Hallowe'en was called Nutcrack Night, from the nuts cracked, eaten and thrown on the fire.

The Luck of Edenhall

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