MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: THE DRAGONS OF SUSSEX PART TWO

Today I conclude my look at the dragons/serpents of Sussex. There is a misprint in my last blog.Of course, it should read “During 1867,at Fittleworth,in Sussex,etc,etc, not During 187, etc. My error!

In Bill Cooper`s e-mail to me of 17th November 2009 he drew my attention to the following pieces of information:

“In Sussex in 1794 a huge `snake` was shot dead finally after terrorising locals and livestock for such a while at Hayward`s Heath. However, descriptions from the time clearly state that this particular beast measured only five-feet in length ,in fact many tales speaking of such `dragons` often only speak of creatures reaching up to nine-feet in length,suggesting nothing more than snakes or large lizards. It must also be noted that with regards to the above beast, many witnesses to the monster often described it as disappearing under the earth once it had attacked,not exactly the behaviour of a terrible dragon.” (1)

Turning to St.Leonard`s Forest: “In Sussex there is a pretty market towne called Horsham,near which is a forest called St.Leonard`s Forrest, and there is a vast and unfrequented place,heahie,vaultie,full of unwholesome shades and overgrown hollows were this serpent is thought to be bred,certaie and too true,that there it yet lives,within 3 or 4 miles compass are its usual haunts,oftentimes at a place called Fay-Gate,and it hath been seene within half a mile of Horsham, a wonder no doubt,most,terrible and noisome to the inhabitants thereabouts.

There is always in his track or path left a glutinous and slimie matter* (as by a small similitude we may perceive in a snail) which is very corrupt and offensive to the scent,insomuch they perceive the air to be putrified withal which must needs be very dangerous; for though the corruption of it cannot strike the outward parts of a man,unless heated into the blood,yet by receiving it into any part of our breathing organs (the nose or mouth) it is by authoritie of all authors, writing in that kinde, mortall and deadlie;as one thus saith: “ Noisia Serpentane est admits sanguine Pestis (Lucan) The Serpent or Dragon as some call it,is reputed to be nine feete or rather more in length,and shaped almost in the form of the axle-tree of a cart, a quantitie of thickness in the middest,and somewhat smaller at both ends. The former part which he shoots forth as a necke is supposed to be an ell long, with a white ring as it were of scales about it. The scales along his back seem to be blackish and so much as is discovered under his bellie apereth to be red…it is likewise discovered to have large feete,but the eye may be there deceived , for some supoose that serpents have no feet but glide along upon certain ribbes and scales,which both defend them…there are likewise oneither side of him discovered two great bunches,so big as a large foote ball,and as some think will grow into wings,but God I hope will so defend the poor people of the neighbourhood, that he shall be destroyed before he grow so fledge.He will cast venom 4 roddes from him,so by woefull experience,it was proved on the bodies of a man and woman coming that way…” (2)

*This was also a feature of the Flying Snake of Namibia Richard Muirhead C.F.Z. Yearbook 1996

Richard Freeman believes this creature was a cobra: “ The snake was indeed probably a cobra that had its genesis in one of the animal collections at the time,and escaped into the area. The reports began in August and only lasted a few months before the cold winter would have killed any tropical reptile at large.” (3)

See also Dorothea Hurst History and Antiquities of Horsham.

There is a legend linking St.Leonard`s Forest to the saint of that name: ”Many of the legends of the Forest are connected with St. Leonard himself,and with his running battle through the trees in which he fought the dragon which had been terrorising the country-people and laying waste their homes and crops. Wherever any drops of the saint`s blood fell to the ground the beautiful lilies of the valley,which still flower in parts of the Forest, sprang up. When aked what reward he would name for ridding the countryside of the scourge of the dragon,St.Leonard is said to have prayed that the adders might be deaf and the nightingales might not sing.” (4)

1. Email from Bill Cooper to Richard Muirhead Nov. 17th 2009
2 B.Cooper Ibid and R.Freeman Dragons More Than a Myth? (2005) pp75-76
3. R.Freeman Ibid p.76
4. Causeway Magazine. Issue 6 p.117

R.E.M. OddFellows Local 151

Odd fellows local 151 behind the firehouse
Where Peewee sits to prove a sage to teach
Peewee gathered up his proof
Reached up and scrathed his head
Fell down and hit the ground again
Firehouse,firehouse