Re: Penshaw Monument | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Penshaw Hill 2

Image by RiotGibbon

Penshaw Monument

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BrigantesNation Mar 31, 2003 22:05:53

Replying to joclaire

How can you be sure?

Firstly, the poem refers to Pensher Hill, secondly, Penshaw hill is a "ring" hill, it has several lines of earthworks which probably originally went all the way round. I have come accross a couple of worm myths which seem to be inspired by a tinged hill.

I'm aware that there are definately strong feelings for both opinions but I have yet to see any documentory evidence (other than the name) that links worm hill to the Lambton Worm story.

Worm Hill is also an ancient earthwork by the look of it, and it may be that the confusion is because the 19th century interpretations condensed an earlier tale which perhaps included both hills.

What is the oldest reference to the Lambton Worm? To be honest all I've seen is the song.

I can say, I too am local, and our history teacher, who was also a leading member of the local history society clearly linked Penshaw Hill with the Lampton Worm, as does most literature currently available (not that that's anything to go by of course).

To my mind, both hills are important, and were key features of the prehistoric landscape in that area.

moggymiaow Mar 31, 2003 23:12:38

Replying to BrigantesNation

I have to agree with you on this one. Growing up in Sunderland it was Penshaw hill that was linked with the worm, because of the "coil" markings on the hill. Though perhaps it just is a north/south divide of the city where both wants to claim the origin of the legend.
I am told that the worm legends have their origins in the Vikings and would it would likely have got started then

RiotGibbon Apr 1, 2003 09:18:33

Replying to BrigantesNation

years ago, when I was a van driver, I saw the Penshaw monument, and said "ooh, that's an interesting hill"

last year, when I was up on Tyneside on "business", I was in the area, saw it, and said "oooh, what's that?". But no-one, all locals, knew

In January, I was heading back from some more "Business", and on my way down to the gorgeous Copt Hill ( http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/browse.php?site_id=2301 ), I saw it again, and even stopped on a dangerous dual carriage way to take a picture ...

it's fantastic looking hill, just knew there was something about it. It's almost as if I can smell them or something. Or perhaps the it's the same thing that drew people thousands of years ago that draws me. I don't know

Here's another one, Sacred Hill fans - Magpie Hill, just off the M40, up near Banbury:
http://www.btinternet.com/~Matthew.Allton/myinterests/walking/centenary/day7/day7.htm

fitzcoraldo Apr 3, 2003 13:58:28

Replying to BrigantesNation

Just for your interest. There are at least 4 different worm legends associated with County Durham.
The Lambton Worm
The Laidley Worm of Spindleston
The Pollard Worm
The Sockburn Worm.

Confusingly, the pollard Worm is often depicted as an enormous Boar (no comments please!).

TomBo Apr 23, 2004 05:52:38

Replying to BrigantesNation

"I have yet to see any documentory evidence (other than the name) that links worm hill to the Lambton Worm story."

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/17690

The song was written by C.M. Leumane in 1867 for a pantomime that was performed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, at the Tyne Theatre.

Has anyone visited Worm Hill? And how about Worm's Rock (an island in the middle of the Wear, apparently) and Worm's Well?