Photos: 12 Nottinghamshire village folklores and customs including Robin Hood
By Phoebe Cox
Published 17th Jan 2024, 12:00 BST
Updated 18th Jan 2024, 19:11 BST
I am sure everyone in Nottinghamshire – and quite possibly most people across the country – knows the tale of Robin Hood. But did you know the county has other folklores and long-standing customs for some of its oldest villages?
As stated by the Nottinghamshire Heritage Gateway, ‘folklore’ was originally coined in 1846 by W.J.Thoms – the founder of Notes & Queries – and has come to encompass seasonal customs, beliefs, legends, traditional arts, and similar activities.
From annual traditions, stories of hauntings, to paganism ties and creatures in the forest – our county has ‘seen it’ all.
Thanks to a delve into history blogs, newspaper archives and online forums, here is a closer look at some lesser-known folklores and folk customs in the Nottinghamshire area.
Did your village make the list?
Thanks to a delve into history blogs, newspaper archives and online forums, here is a closer look at some lesser-known folklores and folk customs in the Nottinghamshire area.
9. Three wise men of Gotham
The story goes that King John intended to travel through the Nottinghamshire village as at the time, any road travelled by Royalty was to be made a public highway, but the people of Gotham did not want a public highway through their village. As a way to avoid a Royal visit, legend has it that the villagers feigned madness and absurdity. Based on this report, King John determined to have his hunting lodge elsewhere, and the wise men boasted, "We ween there are more fools pass through Gotham than remain in it." According to Visit Nottinghamshire; 'it really is no coincidence that Gotham (in Nottinghamshire) and Gotham in the Batman stories share the same name. Washington Irving, a famous US writer from the 19th century, had heard a tale from over the Atlantic of the Mad Men of Gotham.' Photo: Google Maps
Our next folklore tale leads us to Warsop, the parish between Mansfield and Worksop, which once had a wealth of collieries in the vicinity. According to the paranormal blog, researching accounts in the area, it was reported that a chock fitter encountered a green light and a youthful face that terrified him while in the pit. The fitter later spotted a photograph in the canteen, showing the figure he had met as he realised the youth underground had died ten years prior. There were other reports of three figures walking together below the surface, though they always disappeared without warning. The incident happened at Warsop Main Colliery. Do you have any spooky stories from below the surface? Photo: Brian Eyre
Blidworth has once again made the list for its involvement in a folk custom over the years. Although many villages have partaken in the event. It is worth pointing out that the festival was specifically called 'Plough Monday' in Nottinghamshire. Plough Monday is the traditional start of the English agricultural year. While local practices may vary, it includes entertainment in the village to mark the event. Often the day is celebrated with a Plough Play. You can read the Blidworth Plough Bullocking Play, 1896 here: https://folkplay.info/resources/texts-and-contexts/blidworth-plough-bullocking-play-1896 Photo: Google
According to another local folklore, in the summer of 1925 an unsuspecting bird watcher reported seeing twelve hooded figures in robes at Sookholme Church. Each man reportedly walked in a chain, with their hands on the shoulder of the figure in front. Have you had a paranormal experience on Sookholme Lane? Photo: Lev Dolgachov/Syda Productions - stock.adobe.c