Painting The Myths and Legends of The Lake District
Fairy in Watercolour By Christina Jayne
Hi, I’m Christina Jayne, I’m an artist and I live in the English Lake District in Cumbria… A place full of history and nature. I often go walking in the Lakeland fells… it is a magical place, and when you get out into the wilderness, the pace of the world begins to slow down… There is nothing but yourself, mountains and trees… It then becomes easy to imagine somehow you're not alone… Perhaps some kind of mythical creature is watching… Perhaps a troll is hiding upon the mountain cliffs… or fairies among the trees… Or perhaps ghosts from the past!…
I didn’t grow up in the Lakes though… I grew up near the city of Bradford in West Yorkshire, about 60 miles away. I lived close to a place that was famous for “The Cottingley Fairies”. I used to walk past the river beck on my way to school where the fairies were said to be seen… I would look out for them… but I never saw anything! 🙂🧚
Historical Lake District in Paint
My Great-Grandfather
He was a painter too... In the early 1900’s he lived close to the Lake District and painted some local scenes. It's interesting to see how places have changed (or haven’t) when you visit them as there are today…
Lake District 1920’s
Yewdale, Coniston Watercolour By H Cook
Cumbria 1920’s
Gleaston Castle, Cumbria Watercolour 1929 By H Cook
So it seems that’s where I inherited my joy of painting… 🖌️🎨
Lake District Folklore and Legends
So when I came here I was interested to do a little research and see what kind of folklore and legends have been told about The Lake District. Most people think of the tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter when they think of the English Lakes… but there are also many well told folklores and legends here… Such as the ghosts at Muncaster Castle and the Giant Cat of Catbells Fell. Catbells is said to have earned its name back in the time when wild cats were widespread in Britain.
…It is reported there hasn’t been a wolf in England since the end of the 13th century, so there’s no need to worry about them while out hiking in The Lakes 🐺… but… beware of The Hounds of Cumbria!… The legend says they are phantom dogs that were described as large, black and silent with glowing red eyes!… They are said to roam the lands looking for lost souls!
The Black Wolf
Acrylic Painting By Christina Jayne
The Sad Tale of The Last Golden Eagle of Lakeland
A present tale, but a sad one… We had a pair of Golden Eagles here in the Lake District. The female died in 2004. For 12 years the lone male lived on. He was reportedly seen in a mating display called a “sky-dance” in a forlorn attempt to attract a mate… until he died in 2016.
The King of The Sky
In Acrylic Paints By Christina Jayne
Dunmail The Last King of Cumbria
The legend of King Dunmail, the last of the Cumberland rulers, was drawn into battle by the King of England and the King of Scotland who conspired to take him from his throne. The legend goes that he was slain in the mountain valley between Grasmere and Thrilmere. It is said that his loyal warriors buried his body under a pile of stones and took his crown high up into the mountains and tossed it into the waters of Grizdale Tarn. It is told that each year the ghosts of the soldiers make their way up the mountain pass to the waters edge to reclaim the Crown, then returning to the grave in the valley to revive their King… Only to be told the words “Not yet…!”
Nowadays, there is a new King that walks these mountains and valleys... The Red Deer! I was walking there one day myself, and I was lucky enough to cross paths with a herd of Red Deer led by a huge stag with an enormous crown of antlers!
The King of Thrilmere
Red Deer Stag in Acrylic Paints by Christina Jayne
Fairies in The Lake District
There is a small stone bridge in Grasmere that is said to be enchanted by fairies. Those that are lucky enough to see the fairies dance, are said to be blessed with good luck and fortune!...
Then of course I leave the best ‘til last- The Tizzie-Whizzie! 😄… A small shy creature that lives on the shores of Windermere. It is described as having the body of a hedgehog, with a squirrel-like tail and wigs of a bee. It was discovered to a boatman's horror around 1900!...
…I shall let you know if I see one!😄🧚
