Back to search

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

In Response to David Barrowclough and John Hallam’s conclusions regarding ‘The Devil’s Footprints’ on Apronful Hill, Pendle: An investigation into the Brythonic identity of East Lancashire.

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Lancashire folklore records a legend that footprints found in stone between the villages of Sabden and Pendleton were created by the Devil, who took the form of a giant and carried an apronful of stones with the intention of destroying Clitheroe Castle. Unfortunately, he failed. The stone that he threw missed the mark, and his apron-strings snapped leaving the pile of stones known as Apronful Hill. This legend is considered here in the context of historical and literary sources, accompanied by an analysis of place names and other legends. Whilst the initial investigation by David Barrowclough and John Hallam tentatively concluded a connection with Scandinavian rock art and mythology, a possible connection with Celtic mythology has been suggested here.

Degree

thesis:*
Name dc:type.qualificationname
mphil
Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
masters
Grantor dc:publisher.institution
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Year dc:date.issued
2023

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Cornthwaite, Jessica

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Grantnumber
UWTSD
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:2644

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Base URL
repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/cgi/oai2
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Cornthwaite, Jessica. In Response to David Barrowclough and John Hallam’s conclusions regarding ‘The Devil’s Footprints’ on Apronful Hill, Pendle: An investigation into the Brythonic identity of East Lancashire.. masters thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2023. https://doi.org/10.82227/repository.uwtsd.ac.uk.00002644