Royal Mail Commemorative Stamps: Myths and Legends

[6Foot2]

Link: Royal Mail Stamps and souvenirs showcasing fabled figures from popular folklore

 

 

Available: From the 27th of March.

[jthompson]

I must admit to never having heard of most of those, but in the case of Grindylow that's probably a good thing!

[6Foot2]

Link: Grindylow - Wikipedia

 

Quote

In English folklore, Grindylow or Grundylow is a creature in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name is thought to be connected to Grendel, a name or term used in Beowulf and in many Old English charters where it is seen in connection with meres, bogs and lakes.

 

Grindylows are supernatural creatures that appear in the folklore of England, most notably the Lancaster area. They are described as diminutive humanoids with scaly skin, a greenish complexion, sharp claws and teeth, and long, wiry arms with lengthy fingers at the end. They dwell in ponds and marshes waiting for unsuspecting children, which they grab with their shockingly strong grip, and then drag under the surface of the waters.

 

Grindylows have been used as shadowy figures to frighten children away from pools, marshes, or ponds where they could drown....

 

[Bromcom_John]

I am a bit of a mythology nut so had heard of all of those. The Grindylow got a relatively recent popularity buff due to their inclusion in Harry Potter. Used to be mad for getting first day covers when I was a much younger human!!
Also, bit unfair on the "other side" of the giants causeway that only one of the big fella's involved in that tale gets a name drop!

[6Foot2]

24 minutes ago, Bromcom_John said:

... bit unfair on the "other side" of the giants causeway that only one of the big fella's involved in that tale gets a name drop!

 

For completeness, the big fella at the Scottish end of the Giant's Causeway was Benandonner.

 

Link: Giant's Causeway - Wikipedia

 

Quote

... According to legend, a form of 'geomyth', the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant. The story goes that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool), from the Fenian Cycle of Gaelic mythology, was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn accepted the challenge and built the causeway across the North Channel so that the two could meet...

 

[Bromcom_John]

Yep, he's the one who then got fooled when he arrived to see Finn's wife nursing Finn (dressed as a baby) and then bottled it thinking "if tha's th' size o' th' bairn!!"