Giants and dwarfs.

  • Wood, Edward J.
Date:
1868
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Giants and dwarfs. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    78/490 page 62
    Hunt, ill his Popular Romances of the West of England, tells us that the traditions of giants are numerous in Cornwall. The giants of Trecrobben dwelt in a castle on a hill wdiich rises in view of St. Michael’s Mount, and close to Lelant. On the flat rocks inside the castle they sacrificed them vic- tims. In the days of the wars and troubles, when their race was dying out, they buried their treasures in the granite caverns of this hill, where they still remain, guarded by the fairies. Among the Cor- nish fairies are the Spriggans, the ghosts of the giants, who guard hidden wealth. In several parts of Cornwall there still exist huge rocks, said to have been used by the giants when hurling or playing at athletic games. The Titans of Trecrobben and St. Michael’s Mount often met to play at u bob-buttons.” The throw was generally made from Trecrobben Hill, and the mount was the 11 bob,” on which huge slabs of rock served for the buttons. Holiburn of the Cairn was a giant, who is said to have married a farmer’s daughter. Once, when watching some Cornislnnen hurling, he was so pleased at the game made by a young peasant, that in mere good-nature he killed him by patting him on the head. The giant of Trebiggan is said to have dined every day on children, whom he fried on a flat rock outside his cave. His arms were so long that he would snatch the sailors from ships pass- ing by the Land’s End; and sometimes, after hav- ing had his fun, replace them again.
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