“The Lambton Worm”

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1892
Keywords: animal monster fishing fight
Found in: Britain(England(North))

Description

Young Lambton catches a fish of an unknown kind. Wanting to know what it is, he puts it down a well, then sets off for the Crusades. The fish grows into a serpent that leaves the well and does great damage. The lord comes home and kills the creature

Notes

Reputed to be about a Northumbrian lord's attempt to raise taxes. I know of no hard evidence of this. - RBW

References

  1. PBB 104, "The Lambton Worm" (1 text)
  2. DT, LAMDWORM
  3. Roud #2337
  4. BI, PBB104
The Traditional Ballad Index is copyright ©2008 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. The Digital Tradition is copyright The Mudcat Cafe.