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Hill Figure
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J & C Bord report some relatively unsurprising folklore for the figure, though they don't give any dates - well, perhaps it's still going on:
In order to cure barrenness, women would sit on the hillside (they don't mention where, but I think some spots would be more effective than others). Likewise, married couples would spend the night there to ensure they had children. Unmarried girls (being much more polite) would pray at the giant's feet that they wouldn't end up old maids.
('Atlas of Magical Britain')
A vicar of the nineteenth century put a stop to the scourings of the figure, which were held every seven years, 'as' says Udal in his Dorsetshire Folklore (1922), 'they tended to practical illustrations of the above superstitions.'
Disgraceful. (Quoted in Jennifer Westwood's 'Albion').
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Posted by Rhiannon
29th October 2003ce
Edited 8th April 2004ce
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