Trying to think of some Northumbrian folklore snippets that would fit the #MythologyMonday theme of nonviolence leads me to muse on the relationship between our Border legends and violence.

This was an area where violence was a normal part of life (more so than in many other places) for centuries, and it's reflected in our folklore. While we find some heroes (or anti-heroes) who win the day by trickery, one notable feature of several tales is that the hero is offered a direct choice between a violent and nonviolent route. They are often depicted as taking the nonviolent path, but this is the "wrong" way - the coward's way - and leads to their failure or downfall!

A reflection of values, maybe of a time and place when local position was won by violence, feuds were settled by the sword, and the laws of the land (Border or "March" law differed from general English or Scottish law) allowed for a tit-for-tat retaliation system.

Maybe the opposite of the theme here, but historical context will always be fascinating to me!

Pictured: The medieval border fortress of Etal Castle, in the 15th Century the site of a pitched battle between Lord Manners of Etal and Lord Heron of Ford (a couple of miles up the road) and their respective men, in which Heron was killed - the result of a petty feud between neighbours.

#Folklore #LocalHistory #Northumberland #BorderHistory #NorthumberlandHistory #Medieval #MedievalHistory #Legends #MythsAndLegends