Folklore

The Raven and the Chest….

Folklore

Many years ago there was a rumour of a long tunnel underneath the priory that emerged at Tocketts Mill! No-one dared to venture along it! According to local folklore, inside the tunnel was a chest of gold guarded by a giant Raven. If anyone tried to steal the gold, the Raven would attack and drive them off, attempting to peck out their eyes. One day Crispin Tocketts, a cobbler of the town and a man well known for his daring decided that he would defy that Raven and win the chest of gold. He sought the entrance and took a candle and a staff and a sword with which to protect himself.

Early one spring morning Crispin began his journey. He decided to start at the end of the tunnel nearest the town and he lit his candle and descended the steep slope into the passage. In the dim light of his candle, he made his way through the dark and narrow tunnel, often treading in pools of water, manoeuvring past falls from the roof and piles of loose stones, sometimes frightening small mammals and bats and occasionally brushing past tree roots which had come through from the ground above. The tunnel twisted and turned beneath the priory but fortunately there were no other passages to confuse him. His progress was slow. It was breathless down there and he had to stoop on his hands and knees in places, but he never thought for one moment that he would fail.

Suddenly, his candle cast a dim light on a huge chest that was standing on a plinth in a hollow that was carved from the earth. It was framed with large stones and rested on a stone table. Here was the treasure he sought! He ran towards it. The stout wooden chest had iron bands around it and a clasp on the front. On the front there was a brass plate inscribed with undecipherable lettering. The legend was true! Crispin placed his candle on the stone table and tried to loosen the clasp and in seconds, he was lifting the heavy lid. Inside there was a mass of gold and silver coins, chalices and plates made of gold and a gold mitre glittering with precious stones.

At that moment, a huge black raven appeared. Crispin heard its wings and felt the rush of air as it flew over him and landed on the raised lid. It glared at him, forcing the lid down as he backed away. Then, before his eyes, the raven became the Devil himself: fiery, angry, and terrifying. Crispin ran, forgetting his candle. He stumbled through the dark tunnel until he finally escaped into the cold night air, frightened, filthy, and soaked. For years, he could not speak of what had happened. When the tale was finally told, it terrified the people of Guisborough so much that no one ever again tried to find the gold guarded by the giant raven.