The Saxons saw it as populated by goblins more like. 'And now with Grendel [I] must, with the monster, alone settle things with that thurse' (from Beowolf). We know the Thor form of the word better maybe. There's a big site in the South Tyne that is at Thornhope and there is plenty of blackthorn in the parish. The cultivated hedges there are mainly May. The blackthorn forms impenetrable thickets and is too savage to be tamed to a profile. I've a single branch of blossom in a vaze about to open. That'll be when spring starts !