Annery, situated in the undulating valley of the Torridge, was for a long period the seat of the Hankfords. Sir William Hankford, Chief Justice in the reigns of Henry V. and Henry VI., was born here, and, the local tradition asserts, was shot in the park by his keeper, whom he had reprimanded for negligence; an oak under which he is said to have fallen is still called the 'Hankford Oak.' Lord Campbell, in his 'Lives of the Chief Justices,' intimates that Sir William, tired of his life, purposely placed himself in the way of his keeper. The neighbourhood of Bideford is interesting for its antiquity and the historical traditions associated with different spots. Near Appledore the Danish warrior Hubba is said to have landed in the reign of King Alfred, from a fleet of thirty-three ships. A hill in the vicinity of Northam (or rather Westward Ho!' as it is now called) was the scene of the defeat of the followers of Hubba and his own death, and a field by the roadside is to this day pointed out as the place where Biorn Ironside, the companion of Hubba, was slain and the magical raven banner was taken by the Saxons. Upon this banner was wrought the Bird of Odin,' and with such superstition did 6 6 6 the Danes regard this raven, that they believed if defeat was at hand it hung its wings, but raised and clapped them before victory. A cairn on the shore, named 'Hubblestone,' marks the spot, we are told, where Hubba was buried; this defeat took place, according to the Saxon Chronicle, Ad Ann. 877-8.' A few miles from Bideford is Hartland Abbey, the seat of the Stucley family. Tradition relates that it was founded by Githa, the wife of Earl Godwin, and mother of Harold, in honour of St. Nectan, who she believed had preserved her husband from shipwreck in a dangerous storm. Lundy Island, some miles off the north coast, was, as recorded, for some time the refuge of William Marisco, who having conspired the death of King Henry III., was discovered, and fled to this island, which he fortified, became a pirate, and did much damage to the coast; at length he was taken, with sixteen of his accomplices, and put to death. In the reign of William III. a ship, pretending to be a Dutchman, and driven in mistaking the channel, sent a boat on shore, and the sailors begged some milk from the inhabitants for their captain who was dangerously ill; for several days milk was supplied, until it was reported the sick man was dead, and the crew, acquainting themselves with the fact that there was a consecrated graveyard, asked leave to deposit the remains of their much-loved captain therein, and invited the islanders to be present at the funeral ceremony. This intimation was immediately accepted; the coffin, which was unusually heavy, was landed, and with the assistance of some of the inhabitants of the island, carried to the chapel; as soon as they rested it, they were asked by the sailors to quit the edifice for a short time, as the custom of their country forbade foreigners to be present at the part of the ceremony they were about to perform, but they should be soon readmitted. The unsuspecting islanders had not waited long before the chapel doors were suddenly thrown open, and a body of men furnished with arms rushed out, and made them all prisoners. The distressed people now discovered that the pretended Dutchmen were their national enemies the French, who, after committing vast devastation, left the island in a destitute and disconsolate condition. The name of Braunton is derived from St. Branock,' who is said to have arrived from Italy about the year 300. Accord ing to the legend, he was directed in a dream to build a church wherever he should first meet a sow and her family, and in the church in this place we find on the panel of a seat a litter of pigs carved. On the stained glass window St. Branock, his cow, staff, his oak, and his man Abel are represented. This wonderful cow being killed, chopped in pieces, and boiling in the kettle, is said to have come out whole at the call of St. Branock. On the summit of a neighbouring hill are the ruins of a chapel, which it is averred he also built, and it has resisted the efforts of all who have attempted to remove it. There is a wooded hill near the beautiful town of Ilfracombe known as Carn Top, and many an innocent damsel fears to pass this spot when evening draws on, for, the story goes, that a Jew pedlar was once murdered there, and when the day is closing, his ghastly head may occasionally be seen moving among the bushes. the bushes. At the time of the Common wealth the northern coast was infested with a daring gang of robbers, and a lonely place near Bridgeworthy, called The Warren,' is pointed out as having been their retreat after the spoils of the day. After some time the peasantry armed themselves and captured the entire gang, when they were shortly tried for numerous crimes and executed. Near Combmartin is the Hanging Stone,' one of the boundary stones which parts Combmartin from the next parish. The story connected with this is also related of a similar stone near Sidmouth; that a thief having stolen a sheep, and tied it about his neck to carry it on his back, sat to rest for awhile upon this stone, which is about a foot high, when the sheep struggling, slid over the side and so strangled the man. The custom mentioned as 'Hunting the Earl of Rone' is believed to have originated in the following tradition :-During the time of the Irish Rebellion it is said an Earl of Tyrone landed from a little vessel on the coast near Combmartin, and took refuge in the Lady's Wood, where he subsisted for some time on a string of sea-biscuits, until he was taken by the soldiers who were in pursuit. There stands a huge rock in the mouth of Mort Bay, known as Mort Stone; two or three traditions are afloat respecting this. One man can move it, it is said, but he must be born under a happy constellation; according to another version it can only be stirred by a number of wives who have a sovereignty |
