Knowledge of Cornish ghouls and ghosts required

Experts in mysticism and myth from the University are involved in new research that explores storytelling and the ghostly spiritual world. The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded project will focus on why Cornwall and other ‘Celtic’ places like Wales and Scotland are felt to be more mystical and mythologised compared to the rest of Britain.

In the 1800s authors William Bottrell and Robert Hunt collated Cornish folktales such as ‘Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall’ published in 1870 & 1873 and ‘Stories and Folk-Lore of West Cornwall’ in 1880 adding to the focus on Cornwall’s unusual relationship between past, present and place. Volumes of their work on folktales are housed in the Cornwall Centre.

As part of the AHRC project ‘Mysticism, Myth and Celtic Nationalism’ there is a conference in 2010 exploring the issues.  University of Exeter experts based at the Cornwall Campus are keen to encourage participation and contributions from people in Cornwall who are involved or interested in Cornwall as a mythical and mystical place. Dr Marion Gibson explained the call for film makers, exhibitors and all those who have a story to tell of things that go bump in the night. She said, “We are carrying out interviews with people who either live in Cornwall or are visitors, and asking them to tell us about mystical Cornwall. The conference will also feature an exhibition of artwork and photos on the theme. People who are interested in contributing should contract Shelley Trower, our project researcher”.

Common tales include that of Jan Tregeagle whose spirit is said to rage on cold dark nights when his ghostly wails can be heard along the rugged coasts and across the bleak moors; as a man whose wealth was gained by evil measures he was doomed to a life in purgatory. He was also chased by demons and managed to escape and find sanctuary in a little chapel on Roche Rock near St Austell. Mystic goings on are also retold that include the haunting of Jenkin Keigwin who died defending the village of Mousehole from Spanish invaders.  In one of Conan Doyle’s stories Sherlock Holmes even visited Cornwall to investigate the mythical power and strange events surrounding the standing stones on the moors which also feature in modern day PC games such as Barrow Hill.

To find out more about contributing or attending the conference in July 2010 contact s.j.trower@exeter.ac.uk