KNUCKERS IN FLOLKLORE
The most famous Knucker lived, according to legend, at Lyminster. The Knucker apparently caused a lot of suffering (woe), consuming large amounts of local livestock and even villagers, and so it was decided to slay the monster dragon. A number of different legends recount how this was done.
One version has the dragon slain by a knight-errant after the king of Sussex offered his daughter’s hand in marriage to whoever rid them of the beast.
Legend says that after marrying the princess, the knight settled in Lyminster and his gravestone and they lived happily ever after. The Slayer’s Slab, to date, can be seen in Lyminster church.
~
An alternative legend has the dragon outwitted by a local farmer’s only son, a dark haired, brave, very shrewd, highly intelligent young man, called Jim Pulk or Jim Puttock, said in some versions to be from Wick, after the Mayor of Arundel offered a reward. Jim killed the dragon, using his wits (a ruse), where which he cooked in the outdoor kiln (furnace, oven), a giant poisoned pie, that looked appetizingly delicious and smelled heavenly. As pie was gigantic, he took the pie to the knuckerhole on a horse and cart. He presented the pie to the Dragon humbly, with a flamboyant bow, uttering flattering words, praising the Dragon’s awesome stature and might.
The dragon grinned with glee and accepted the gift. He spared the youth’s life and watched him take to his heels (in supposed fear) till he disappeared into the woods. Settling down, the Dragon then ate up pie, horse and cart all, in one gulp.
The Dragon was furious, when the searing (intense) pain struck his internal organs and he realized, far too late, the young man’s treachery. And so writhing (thrashing) in agonizing pain, subsequently, the mighty dragon had finally expired. Having calculated the right time, Jim (the youth) returned and cut off the mighty dragon’s head.
In some versions Jim then dies himself, probably of the same poison he used on the dragon, though this is possibly a later addition designed to explain the Slayer’s Slab.
It was believed that knuckers could be found at knuckerholes in various places in Sussex, including Lyminster, Lancing, Shoreham and Worthing.
Fin
Leave a comment