Cornish Folkore and Small Fires
Ronnie Turner
In my second novel Small Fires, I’ve paid homage to storytelling across all many mediums. I’ve tipped my hat to stories from Greek mythology, from the Bible, from legends across the world. But I have also been hugely inspired by Cornish folklore and legend, and I’ve used it to enrich the lore of my fictional island – Godforgotten – in this book. Here are five ways that I’ve woven the Duchy (now my home) into the novel.
The Legend of the Giant Bolster and Agnes
Legend says that a cruel Cornish giant fell in love with a beautiful woman called Agnes. He pursued her relentlessly, until one day she devised a clever plan to stop her pursuer. She asked him to fill a hollow in the cliff above Chapel Porth beach with his blood to prove his love for her and win her love in return. But what Bolster did not know was that there was a crack in the hollow and as the hours passed, his blood flowed out into the ocean until he eventually died and Agnes, by might of her mind, won her freedom.
A chapter entitled ‘A Women, Burning’ is entirely inspired by this wonderful legend. You might recognise Bolster and Agnes in my characters Silas and Gaia.
Did you know the village of St Agnes (aptly named) has an annual festival and parade to celebrate this classic Cornish story? It’s wonderful and I try to attend every year!
The Legend of the Giant of St Michael’s Mount
This legend stretches as far back as the sixth century, when a giant called Cormoran lived on St Michael’s Mount, and regularly terrorised the folk of Marazion, stealing their livestock. One day, a humble boy called Jack crept up the Mount in the night and vanquished the giant, freeing the Cornish folk from their foe. Henceforth, he was called Jack the Giant Slayer.
This legend inspired the chapter ‘Knocking in the Earth’, in which I pay homage to Cormoran and Jack and weave this legend into a frightening story told between sisters on the shore of Marazion, with the Mount watching them in the distance.
The Cornish Knockers
Otherwise known as Buca, the Cornish Knockers are malevolent spirits or ‘fairy folk’ who lived in the tin mines and knocked on supports to bring the ceilings down and cause harm to the miners. They have many names, and take many forms in different parts of the world, but they are prominent in Cornish folklore for being sinister and mischievous.
I bring the knockers into the chapter ‘Knocking in the Earth’ to give you a glimpse of my two Cornish sisters, Lily and Della, their heritage and the darkness of their relationship.
The Celtic Goddess, Aine
Aine, also known as Áine or Anu, is a prominent figure in Celtic mythology as the goddess of love, fertility, and sovereignty. She is revered for her beauty, power and grace.
I wove this figure into the folklore of my fictional island in the chapter ‘Aine’s Well’, exploring what it means to be a mother, and to love and be loved – a strand to give some light and redemption to what is otherwise a very dark tale.
Kennel Vale
Moving away from folklore and legend to a very true historical event at Kennell Vale, a beautiful woodland with a dark past as a gunpowder mill. In 1838, five mills exploded in succession, killing one man and seriously injuring another. Ghosts are rumoured to roam Kennell Vale and many sightings have been recorded.
This location features in a chapter called ‘Soul Factory’, and, once again, is a backdrop for my Cornish sisters, Lily and Della, and their strange childhood.
Small Fires, by Ronnie Turner, is out today.
