The Lambton Worm
A young heir fished a strange worm from the River Wear and threw it in a well. It grew into a monster that coiled around a hill.
What was reported
The legend, told in the north-east of England, says young John Lambton skipped church to fish in the River Wear and caught a small, ugly, eel-like creature. He threw it into a well and went off to the Crusades. While he was away it grew huge, wrapped itself around a hill and demanded milk from the villagers.
On his return he defeated it in the river, wearing armour covered in spikes on a wise woman's advice. The tale became a popular local song in the 1860s and is still sung in the region.
Explanations offered
'Worm' is an old word for dragon, and folklorists see this as one of many English dragon tales, perhaps attached to the Lambton family to explain a run of later misfortune, the 'curse' said to have lasted nine generations. Worm Hill, near Fatfield, is still pointed out as the creature's coil.
- When
- Legend set in the Middle Ages
- Where
- Lambton, County Durham, England
- Witnesses
- Told in local ballads and song
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.