NUNNINGTON. 173 



south. There is an entry in the register of 



in which the seats, after the rebuilding ot the church, 



! 



ter, returning safe and sound from so, perilous an. 

 encounter, he leaped up, and in his joy licked his face. 

 When lo! his breath, impregnated with the serpents poi- 

 son, was inhaled by our hero, and in the arms of victo- 

 ry, he fell a sacrifice to fidelity, and now lies deposited 

 in the church of Nunnington, with his faithful dog 

 reposing at his feet. Ou hearing this marvellous tale, 

 I was surprised, ---- but understanding that a similar, 

 transaction has taken place in the county of Durham, 

 where a knight similarly accoutred, engaged a similar 

 serpent, the pieces of which were lloated away by the 

 friendly stream of the Tees, to prevent their reunion* 

 I must be silent. 



This currently received tradition, which remains in 

 full force up to the present time, arid is in the mouths of 

 men, women, and children, must have its origin in 

 something ; -and were I to hazard a conjecture on this 

 subject, [ should be inclined to say, that it is possible 

 this knight, in his attempt to free the wood at Los'chy- 

 hill, of the serpents with which it was infested, may 

 have received a mortal bite^which was the occasion of his 

 death. The whole extent of Cauklass, of which Los- 

 chy-hill may be said to form a part, is well-known 

 to have swarmed with the 'anguis .coluber,' or Hag- 

 worm; which are now nearly exterminated in conse- 

 quence of the inclosure, and the removal of those nu- 

 merous beds of whins, ferns, and other rubbish, the usual 

 hauuts of serpents of this class. Of the fatal effects of 

 their bite on inferior animals, such as sheep, dogs, &c . t 

 there are several well-authenticated instances on record; 

 ..-and when remaining undisturbed for a series ef years, 

 they must have attained to a size of which there can be 

 uo examples at the present day; though indeed, a snake 

 of this description was found here 'only 'seven years ago, 

 measurii g nearly six feet. 



That our worthy knight, after having figured in the 

 crusades and being distinguished, to use JDodsvrorthV 

 Words, as " a noble warrior and a man of great com- 

 mand," should have fallen thus ignobly by the bite of a,; 

 serpent , is a circumstance most tuiniliatin'g to the prido 



