Welcome, weary traveller, to the Olde Chronicles

Olde Chronicles presents to you the myths and legends of England, Scotland and Wales. A world of mysterious creatures, legendary people and mythical places across the land once known as “Albion”.

Take a seat, begin your journey into the folklore, myths and legends of England, Scotland and Wales, collectively the British Isles.

Step inside weary traveller, rest, take off your shoes and explore with us the ghosts, creatures, places and people that form the rich heritage and are the wonders of Britain….

The Legend of Black Annis

The Dane hills of Leicestershire were home to many creatures, but none so terrifying as Black Annis. She lived in a cave, carving it out herself with her clawed hands. At night she stalked the woods, looking for children to prey on,and her howls and screeches could be heard for miles around. She had black…

Could Woden (Odin) have been a real person?

The Germanic pantheon of Gods is often one of the most disregarded in society, with pop culture and historians having little to say on the subject. The Norse, Greek, Roman and, to an extent, Egyptian gods are very well known across the western world, with all having some basis in education and popular learning, with the Norse even having a place in Marvel’s superhero series “The Avengers”. But for the Angles, Jutes, Saxons and other groups north of the Rhine pre-Charlemagne, their culture has had little preservation, being largely disregarded in favor of more flashy and well known cultures (much…

Robert the Bruce and the Spider

After a disastrous first year as king in 1306, Robert the Bruce settled in for a winter on the Isle of Arrans at a sight called Fionn’s cave. The English had been pursuing him across the country, and now he found himself sheltering in a cold coastal cave, bracing for the long winter ahead. After a crushing defeat at Methven, and the loss of Kildrummy castle, the king was begin to feel he’d never defeat his old enemies. In fact, Robert was considering giving up the crown all together. His family had been split up and was now all across…

The Warrior of the Gog Magog Hills

The windswept summits of the Gog Magog hills have always been of incredible strategic importance. From its iron age fort on Wandlebury to queen Boadicea, whoever controlled the hills controlled Cambridgeshire. The hills are shrouded in mystery and legend, with its very name being given to it from two giants, Gog and Magog, who are supposedly buried there. But perhaps its most famous and interesting story is that of the warrior of Wandlebury camp. Up on the highest peak, there lies the old iron age camp of Wandlebury, now abandoned and overgrown with grass and plants. But although its ramparts…

Were the Anglo-Saxons Violent Invaders or Peaceful Immigrants?

The arrival of the Anglo-Saxons is one of the most important events in the history of Britain. It set this island on a course that would lead it to become one of the most powerful nations in the world, and also changed its culture irrevocably. But, despite its significance, there is still a massive debate over how the arrival happened, being split between two major theories: The violent conquest and the peaceful immigrants. The evidence is split between the two, and so are major historians on this period, who continue to argue over which theory is right and which is…

The Tragedy of Jan Tregeagle

Jan Tregeagle was not loved by the people of Cornwall, so when he died there was no great outpouring of grief in the local area. Hardly anyone attended his funeral, and even less visited the grave in the churchyard. Tregeagle was a frugal man, who spent his days up in his office looking at county laws and the such. A talented lawyer no doubt, but many disliked his no nonsense approach, being completely hell bent on winning his cases, and sometimes even being plain vindictive. He would bully witnesses, change documents and outright lie to get his way. But now…

Hereward the Wake and the Candles of St Peter

Hereward the Wake was the bane of the Normans. From his Isle of Ely in the Lincolnshire marshes, he lead his band of Anglo-Saxon rebels against the Norman invaders, causing much harm and damage to their occupation. He is in many fantastical tales, some of which will be recounted at later days on this page. This story begins with the abbot of Peterborough, a kind and gentle man who ran the cathedral with generosity. Because of this, Hereward and his band of warriors did not harm Peterborough cathedral, letting it alone. And in return, the abbot sent food and supplies…

Albion, a place of myth and legend

Our mission at Olde Chronicles is to record and bring to life the folklore, legends and myths of England, Scotland and Wales. Retelling stories of mythical creatures, mysterious places and legendary people.

This isle is a place of legend, of wonder and renowned for storytelling in verse and song.

The chronicles we recount are remarkable and will test our modern view of the world. But if not told they will be forever lost to future generations who will not understand these foundational stories which make up the fabric of the places where we live and visit.

Explore our stories and see where they actually hapened on our Legandary Chronicler Map or you can browse the Olde Chronicles on our Browse Stories page.

The Death Of Folklore...

Britain is unique in its legends and myths, with so many influences from different cultures. Major migration, such as the Vikings, the Romans, the Celts, the Normans, the Hannoverians, have created us a diverse and mixed history, and this is reflected in our folklore. Each region and county has its own unique and rich culture, and we here at Olde Chronicles aim to remind and teach people about this land’s history.

A disappearing culture

So why has our culture disappeared? One could point to the enclosure, in which rural villages were split apart and sent off to work in the factories. This would’ve meant that the people that knew these stories were unable to spread them through the community, and they were slowly forgotten.

Another answer could be because of the reformation. Catholicism first grew by enveloping other faiths and religions, therefore creating an environment by which folklore and faith could co-exist. However, when the protestant reformation took place, this appreciation and belief in the supernatural was overtaken by logic and science. This meant people simply didn’t believe anymore, and so felt no inclination to share these stories.

A final, more modern reason, is the destruction of the natural beauty of Britain. Our ancient woodlands, towering castles and historic swamps create a natural breeding ground for myth. But the desolation of our nature by industrialization has meant that we now live in a different land than our ancestors, cutting the ties between us and them. This creates a boundary between the past and the future, making it harder to relate to how people lived then.

The most likely is probably a mixture of all of these things, but the result remains the same: The death of folklore. So our mission, here at Olde Chronicles, is to bring you the legends, re-tell the stories of old Albion, bring them to life for today so that the legends are not forgotten.

Chronicles, myths and legends of England

So weary traveller, while you are with us rest, relax, explore, read and challenge yourself. Do not forget to comment on our chronicles of old Britain’s folklore of myth and legend which you will find in this place…..

Featured Mysteries and Legends of England, Wales and Scotland

Were the Anglo-Saxons Violent Invaders or Peaceful Immigrants?

Robert the Bruce and the Spider

Could Woden (Odin) have been a real person?

Olde Chronicles, myths and legends of england

Our Lady of Walsingham

The beautiful and sleepy North Norfolk countryside on England’s East coast conceals one of Europe’s most glorious, but hidden mysteries. This happening drew people from around the world in huge numbers to the North Norfolk coast for hundreds of years, even Kings and Queens repeatedly came to this place such was its importance. It was… Continue reading Our Lady of Walsingham...

The Lambton Worm

The heir to Lambton castle was a wild unruly youth. He stayed out all night partying and gambling, shirking his studies and responsibilities during the day. One day, whilst he was skipping his history lessons, he decided to go fishing in the local river. But, instead of catching any fish, all he caught was a… Continue reading The Lambton Worm...

The Headless Horseman of The Staffordshire Moors

The day was fast fading into night when a drunk farmer wandered home on the moors. He had just left the tavern at Onecote, walking back to his farm outside of Leek, when he saw someone riding their horse towards Leek. Thinking that it was one of his neighbours, the farmer called out, asking… Continue reading The Headless Horseman of The Staffordshire Moors...

The Legend of Black Annis

In Search of the Real Merlin

Without question, King Arthur takes the leading role in British Dark Age legend. Using film (movie) world terminology this would make Merlin the supporting actor. However, there is little we know for sure about either person, real or myth. Chronicles of the time have Arthur as a magnanimous leader who gathered and united the military… Continue reading In Search of the Real Merlin...

Explore Olde Chronicles myths and legends of England, Wales and Scotland, collectively the British Isles.