Historic Events
There have been many historic events in this part of the world, many have been forgotten in the folds of time, many have been changed from the original event. The truth behind them cannot be guaranteed.
There are some ecclesiastical ruins of Finchale Priory on the banks of the wear near to Lumley it was build in honour of St Godric who was said to have originated from the spot, where he had a constant battle with the devil, to help him with the battles, he wore an iron jerkin. It was said he wore out three jerkins in his life time. Legend also has it the devil actually stole a jerkin from the good Godric.
The legend has it he fought his battles standing in the cold waters of the wear. When he died they made him a saint and build the monastery at the scene.
Greet big teeth a greet big gob and big googly eyes ( forgive the spelling) who or want are we talking about.? the Lambton Worm of course.
It all began in the 14th century.....
John Lambton a young heir to the Lambton Estates went fishing in the river wear, but instead of catching any fish he caught a worm, to which he through down a well. The worm began to grow to an enormous size, and started to attack and kill the poor locals and farm animals eating them in the process. The worm was now massive, and used to wrap itself around a hill found in Fatfield (now called worm hill) - the marks are still visible today, although some doubters may say the marks are just footpaths.( always take note of want your aunty tells you).
Some 10 years later John Lambton ( Now Sir John Lambton) returns from the crusades intent on killing the worm, which seems impossible because if it is cut in two it rejoins the two half's of it's body.
Sir John sought help from the local witch, who advised him to wear body armour covered with sharp blades, and when the worm curled itself around him the worm would be sliced in many pieces and be swept away by the fast flowing river Wear, and would then die. But the witch told him he had to kill the first person he saw after he had killed the worm. If he did not carry out her wish she would put a curse on the family.
Sir John did meet and kill the worm just like the witch predicted, but unlucky for him the first person he met was his own father, having refused to carry out the deed, the curse was put on the Lambton's, over the centuries some unusual deaths have occurred in the family to carry forward the myth of the curse.
more to follow.........