It’s well known in the realms of folklore that not everything is what it may seem to be. Spectres, ghosts, animals and even people have the ability to transform into some of the most unlikely characters. But that’s the fun of folklore, the telling of stories, the embellishments and additions that add vibrancy to a tale.
This week takes us to the east of the county, somewhere near the Malvern, for there was a convent located here. The nuns were fairly self contained, they didn’t have many visitors so when one did turn up it was quite an exciting prospect. To hear news from the outside world, from the viewpoint of a traveller was always a treat especially if it involved news of the noble families and great houses that were dotted across the realm.
So one day when a weary, dusty and well travelled man approached their doors the nuns welcomed him inside with warmth and happiness. While they afforded their guest the opportunity to rest and clean up they excitedly prepared supper and wondered what news he would impart to them. It hadn’t gone unnoticed too that their guest was quite a handsome man once all of the dust and dirt had been wiped away. So when they entered the great refectory for supper, they could not resist the temptation to shoot him a glance, all very discreetly of course. Their guest smiled inwardly as he noticed their behaviour, he had see this reaction before. He was secretly pleased that he hadn’t lost his touch and looked forward to conversing with the nuns and finding out more about their order. Convents were one of his favourite places to stay. Why, you may wonder, well we’ll get to that a bit later on.
Once all of the nuns were seated Mother Superior then swept through the refectory heading to the top table as she did every night. She was completely dignified, did not sneak a peek at the visitor as the others had but signalled to him to take the place next to her.
She then stood up to say grace before the food was brought in and as she did so a roll of thunder clapped so loudly that it felt as if it was right above the convent and would break through the walls at any moment. Undeterred she continued her address and did not falter and concluded with a loud “Amen”, which was copied by all of the nuns present but interestingly she had noticed not by the visitor.
Relaxed and eager to hear of the traveller’s news the conversation was easy and comfortable for everyone, the food and wine was consumed with happiness and contentment and without warning the traveller delved into one of his bags and pulled out a musical instrument which he then began to play. The music was as sweet as the wine that they had been drinking, mesmerising and beautiful, he sang a song of unrequited love. Within moments the nuns seemed to fall under his spell, tears filled their eyes and even the Mother Superior succumbed to the moment. As the traveller finished his ballad, the nuns rose silently and left the room, all melancholy in appearance. All were mourning the love they had turned their backs on when entering the order, most then left the convent to seek the love that they had so sadly missed and was currently lacking in their lives.
Only the Mother Superior had remained in the refectory with the traveller. As she looked at him she experienced an urge to follow him, so when he got up to leave the convent she immediately rose and followed him to the door. As the traveller heard her steps behind him he smiled and then turned to look at her and as he did so she stretched her arms out towards him. As in all good films the moment they embraced and kissed the storm that had been raging outside hit a crescendo and a thunderbolt shot through the convent killing the Mother Superior on the spot.
All had gone to plan for the traveller, he smiled as he held her lifeless body in his arms. So who was this traveller you may ask, in Herefordshire some call him ‘Old Nick’ and some just ‘The Devil’. With his mission accomplished, he headed out onto the road, onward to his next unsuspecting victim with a wry smile and a spring in his step!
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