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Legends of Oxfordshire
Stones that can't be counted, a hidden bower at Woodstock, a dragon's blood on the downs and an invisible smith on the Ridgeway. Our first county.
Ghosts · OxfordshireMadam Dudley's GhostA lady found dead at the foot of the stairs, a ghost that walked so stubbornly it took nine parsons to lay her, and a pond that never froze again.Read the taleThe Devil · Standing stones · OxfordshireThe Devil's QuoitsThe Devil lost his temper over a Sunday game and threw three great stones across the Thames.Read the taleDragons · OxfordshireThe Dragon of Dragon HillWhere St George killed the dragon, and why nothing will grow where its blood ran out.Read the taleRoyal legends · OxfordshireFair Rosamund and the Silken ThreadA hidden bower at Woodstock, a jealous queen, and a thread that led her to Rosamund's door.Read the taleGhosts · OxfordshireThe Unjust Judge of Great TewAt midnight the judge who wronged the village drives his coach-and-six round an old elm in the park.Read the taleThe Devil · Ghosts · OxfordshireThe Just Devil of WoodstockIn 1649 Parliament's men came to Woodstock to do away with the King's Oak, and something in the old manor made them very sorry they had.Read the taleGhosts · OxfordshireMr Bonnell Walks OutTwo students watched him walk out of the college gate and up the High Street at noon. He had not left his bed for days.Read the taleStanding stones · Witches · OxfordshireThe King Who Became a StoneA king, a witch and seven long strides: why the Rollright Stones can never be counted.Read the taleHoly wells & saints · Royal legends · OxfordshireSt Frideswide and the Blinded KingA princess who wouldn't marry, a king struck blind at the gates of Oxford, and a spring that burst from the ground at Binsey.Read the taleHobs & helpers · OxfordshireWayland, the Invisible SmithLeave your horse and a coin at the old stones, and come back to find it shod by a smith nobody ever saw.Read the tale