Here be Dragons

Introduction

The poem outlines a number of place names based on Anglo Saxon words meaning ‘dragon’. All of these places can be traced back to Saxon times, although some have now vanished. The references are cryptic and present the reader at times with a riddle. The reference for tunnels in Draklow for example refer to a ‘shadow factory’ which made principally the engines for war planes during the latter years of WWII. All the locations referred to can be found on maps available on the internet.

Here be Dragons

There be dragons sleeping, under the ground,

Guarding their wyrm bed, not making a sound.

Some towns and villages, long since passed by,

Perhaps their dragon, did cause them to die.

Walmsgate in Lincolnshire, just hamlet left,

Long barrow wyrms bed, was there a great theft?

The village and church, lost in mists of time,

Carried off by Earth dragon, in their prime.

Nottinghamshire Drakeholes, meads of clover,

Where fiery dragons, flew screaming over.

Only hamlet not priory, could withstand,

Dark water tunnel, now cleanses the land.

Nordic wyrm town, had it a water mill,

Lincolnshire South Ormsby, did well until.

Dragon venomed men, and beast with his air,

Till only was hamlet, and church left there.

Wormhill in Derbyshire, what shouldst thee fear?

The last English wolves, did here disappear.

Well dressing each year, cast out the profane,

Wyrma’s Hyll dragon, hast not yet been slain.

Drakelow dragon’s mound, a wyrm bed of yore?

Derbyshire Saxons, named it Dracan Hlaw.

Four miles of tunnels, making dragon’s parts,

Flying war dragon’s, mechanical hearts.

Guarding Epona, Wiltshire Dragon Hill,

Mill, abbey and church, on barrow to kill.

Taken from time, Eccles Beorh disappears,

But white horse has lived, for three thousand years!