Lantern - No 27

Magazine Overview

Title: LANTERN
Issue: Number 27
Date: Autumn 1979
Publisher: Borderline Science Investigation Group
Editors: Ivan Bunn & Michael Burgess

Introduction

The Autumn 1979 issue of LANTERN begins with an introduction from the editors, acknowledging a recent lack of UFO material but promising a regular UFO Supplement starting with the next edition, focusing on East Anglian reports. They apologize for the absence of the 'Exchange Magazine' section due to space constraints, which will return in the following issue. The editors also express regret over the winding up of 'PICWINNARD!', a sister publication, noting its high quality and features.

This issue has a distinct 'Norwich flavour,' with two main articles focusing on the city. An exhibition is announced for the Long Gallery of the Theatre Royal, Norwich, from October 15th to 26th, featuring water colour paintings, prints, and drawings by Oliver Caldecott, many of which illustrate Shirley Toulson's book 'EAST ANGLIA: Walking the ley lines and ancient tracks.' The book itself is being launched at the exhibition. Toulson's work describes 'ley line' walks in East Anglia, exploring ancient tracks and enigmatic terrestrial zodiacs, with Caldecott's illustrations aiming to evoke the landscape.

Local Folklore and History

Tales of Old Witchcraft in Suffolk

Morley Adams contributes a piece detailing tales of witchcraft. One story recounts a girl from Loddon, Norfolk, who was bound over to the Devil but showed no inclination to witchcraft beyond dreaming up a charm for children's reading. Her mother was said to have had imps, which were later destroyed. The story concludes with the girl being carried off by a 'strange man,' identified by locals as Satan.

Another tale features an Ipswichian named Old Winter, who lived in the late 18th century and used his witchcraft knowledge to assist a farmer. Winter helped catch a labourer stealing wood by bewitching a stile, causing the thief to meander in exhaustion until the spell was broken.

Gleanings from the Lowestoft Journal

This section, contributed by R. A. Haxell, presents two local news items:

• Leiston: Remarkable Discovery of Human Bones (October 11th, 1873): During excavations for a subterranean communication at a grocer's premises, workmen discovered a heap of human bones, including vertebrae, a knee cap, and upper thigh bone, preserved in a primitive terracotta vase.
• Attacked in Their Own Backyard (January 19th, 1979): Mr. and Mrs. George Chapman of Lowestoft reported being preyed upon by a large owl that pounces when anyone goes outside. The bird had attacked Mr. Chapman multiple times, causing distress and fear.

Early East Anglian Antiquarians: Percy Nash and the Geomancy of Norwich

This multi-part series continues with Part Three, focusing on Percy Nash and his theories regarding the geomancy of Norwich. The author, Michael W. Burgess, notes that Nash's paper, originally published in 1920, was difficult to reproduce due to printing issues. Nash, an architect and surveyor, proposed that Norwich was the capital of a vast Roman-laid-out triangular segment of land called 'Venta Icenorum.' He claimed this area, along with the walled enclosure of Caistor St. Edmund, was surveyed using ancient units of measurement derived from the Great Pyramid, and that Norwich and its city walls were an exact copy of ancient Rome.

Burgess discusses how Nash's claims, particularly regarding the Roman origins and measurements, were controversial but generally accepted due to endorsements from archaeologists like W. G. Clarke and Walter Rye. Rye, while agreeing with Nash's measurements, suggested an Italian surveyor, not Romans, might have planned the city walls using Roman methods. Nash maintained that Caistor was a military post guarding 'Venta,' with Tasburgh and Burgh Castle as flanking defences.

Nash's theories were based on identifying specific alignments and measurements, including what he termed 'ancient long measures' and 'cross-intervals.' He believed Norwich Castle was of Roman foundation and that Roman Norwich lay beneath the present city. His comparison of Norwich's landscape features to those in Rome, such as the river Wensum's loops and the Castle to the Pantheon, is presented as evidence for his theory.

The article notes Nash's lack of professionalism and accuracy in some statements, citing his claims about church alignments and the interpretation of Caistor Camp. Despite criticism, Nash remained convinced of his Roman-centric interpretation.

Mystery of the Lights

This brief report details an incident near the River Deben where police were alerted to flashing lights, possibly in Morse code, from the Sutton side. The flashing stopped when a policeman shone a searchlight, leaving the cause unknown. The report mentions it could have been a faulty light or youngsters playing.

Echoes from the Past - No. 2: 'Old Blunderhazard'

Ivan A.W. Bunn continues his exploration of local legends, focusing on 'Old Blunderhazard.' This part links the legend to William Blennerhassett of Pockthorpe, Norwich, and his family's historical connection to the area. The manor of Thorpe, including Pockthorpe, was given to the monks of Norwich, and the lands later became known as 'Monks Grange.'

The article traces the ownership and naming of the property, which eventually became known as 'Hassett's House' or 'Hall.' It references an early account by Daniel Gurney in 1858, which describes Hassett's House and mentions a strange tale of an old 'Hassett' riding in a coach and four, with flashes of fire illuminating the city.

This legend is linked to a similar one at Barsham, Suffolk, where 'Old Blunderhazard' is said to drive out on Christmas Eve in a coach and six to visit Hassett's Tower in Norwich. The Barsham story includes horses without heads and fire from their nostrils.

The article identifies 'Hassett's Tower' in Norwich as 'Cow Tower,' located opposite Hassett's House on the City side of the Wensum. Cow Tower predates the Blennerhassetts and was originally built to command the river and collect tolls for the Prior. It was later rebuilt by the City and used for defence and as a prison.

Burgess speculates on the origin of the 'Hassett's Tower' name, suggesting it might have been named after the legend rather than the other way around, as Gurney's reference is the earliest found. He also discusses the route Thomas Blennerhassett might have taken from Barsham to Norwich, suggesting it would not have involved crossing Bishops Gate unless he intended to visit Hassett's House.

The piece concludes by noting that Hassett's House was demolished in 1792 and replaced by cavalry barracks. It mentions ghost stories associated with the house, including an apparition of a dead body and sealed rooms whose doors caused blindness when attempted to be opened. The article also touches upon the possibility of ley lines being involved with these towers and legends.

References

A comprehensive list of references is provided, including books and articles related to local history, folklore, and antiquarian studies, such as Gurney's 'Record of the House of Gournay,' Blomefield's 'An Essay Towards a Topographical History of Norfolk,' and various articles from the 'Eastern Daily Press' and 'Eastern Evening News.'

Comment: Ley Lines and Towers

Crystal Hogben poses a question about whether Blennerhassett's Tower is on a ley line. She suggests that towers acted as 'receivers' for wisdom from other worlds, and that people built them for this purpose. She wonders if the Blennerhassetts were spiritual guides who used their tower's wisdom for good or ill, and notes that if the tower was on a ley line, its purpose would have been a secret.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue of LANTERN demonstrates a strong focus on local history, folklore, and antiquarian studies, particularly concerning East Anglia. The magazine actively seeks out and presents unusual historical accounts, legends, and archaeological theories, such as Percy Nash's geomantic interpretation of Norwich. There is a clear interest in unexplained phenomena, as evidenced by the announcement of a UFO supplement and the inclusion of the 'Mystery of the Lights' report. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting different perspectives and encouraging reader engagement, as seen in the 'Comment' section. The publication also serves as a platform for sharing research and discoveries related to the region's past.

Title: SPELLTHORN
Issue: 5
Date: January 1980
Publisher: ESNA (East Suffolk and Norfolk Antiquarians)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Spellthorn, a publication by the East Suffolk and Norfolk Antiquarians, delves into local folklore, historical curiosities, and the subject of ley lines.

Ley Lines and Geomancy

The issue features a review of "The Ley Hunter's Companion" by Paul Devereux & Ian Thomson. The reviewer praises the book as the most comprehensive work on ley hunting since 'The Old Straight Track' (1925), explaining the history, mythology, and methods of ley hunting in an accessible manner. The book includes a section on fieldwork by the authors, presenting a selection of leys from across the country. While the reviewer finds the book copiously illustrated and enjoyable, they remain unconvinced by the theories put forward for the existence of leys, noting that aerial photos, while used, do little more than affirm the accuracy of large-scale maps. Despite some reservations, the reviewer highly recommends the book, stating it has inspired them to personally explore and walk the leys themselves.

A specific ley line is mentioned as being confirmed by 'Mike' using 1:50,000 and 6" maps, incorporating ten points from SSE to NNW, including Holy Trinity Church in Barsham, sites at Geldeston, Stockton, and Hales. However, it is noted that this ley has not yet been confirmed by fieldwork, and there is no ley-line connecting the towers at Barsham and Norwich.

Forteana and Local Lore

Several short articles and queries cover various 'Forteana' and local lore topics:

• No.37 CROSS: An old newspaper clipping about an 'ancient stone monument' known as 'Hickathrift's Candlestick' in Marshland Smeeth, Norfolk, is discussed. Basil Cozens-Hardy's research indicates it was a Scandinavian 'doom ring' and a meeting place for inhabitants. A pedestal and part of a shaft were unearthed, and the cross has been moved to a hedge.
• No.38 FORTEANA: Two instances of frog falls are mentioned. One occurred around 1890 at Wetheringsett, Suffolk, with frogs described as yellow or dull green and about 1½" long. Another fall in about 1911 at Stockton, Norfolk, involved tiny frogs that vanished.
• No.39 QUERY: The editor seeks information on the ritual 'Burning of the Golden Wherry,' which used to conclude the annual Oulton Broad Regatta, inquiring about its tradition and connection to the legend of the phantom wherry 'Mayfly'.
• No.40 ROADSIDE BURIAL: A tale from 'Notes on Rattlesden' (1900) recounts that around 1815, a boy named Otterwell, aged 14-15, allegedly hanged himself for stealing beans and was buried by the roadside.
• No.41 REPLY: The name 'Monster of the Green' applied to Walberswick is linked to 'Black Shuck' by A.A. MacGregor in his 'Ghost Book' (1955).
• No.42 OLD LORE: The spire of St. Nicholas' church in Great Yarmouth, removed around 1800, was said to have a 'spinal curvature,' with a local saying that the steeple nodded when an old maid died.
• No.43 FORTEANA: Citing 'Magna Brittania' (1720), this entry details events from Mundesley, Norfolk, where large bones (possibly from a monster) were found. It also describes a severe tempest on August 12, 1581, with thunder, lightning, and hail stones that damaged crops, uprooted trees, and even blew the 300-pound west door of a church at Hemming (Horning?) off its hinges.
• No.44 GHOST: A story from Barton Mere mentions a tradition of a 'ghostly woman' riding across the mere on a phantom horse on certain days.
• No.45 STONE: Further information on the Chediston Stone is provided, noting it was allegedly 30 feet high and used by smugglers as a guide. An old lady recalled being told that the stone could be seen turning on its base.
• No.46 TUNNEL: A different version of a tunnel said to run from Gresham Cross to Beeston Priory in Norfolk is presented. The legend of a lost golden image shaped like a calf is mentioned, along with an unsuccessful attempt by a 'cunning man' to find it, which was halted due to excavating near adjacent property.
• No.47 OLD LORE: A field on Waterloo Farm at Sturston, Norfolk, known as 'Hangman's Round,' is explained by a tale that a Parson-Squire hanged himself from an ancient oak tree.
• No.48 FORTEANA: Two accounts of mouse plagues are detailed. One from November 1660 in Norfolk describes multitudes of meadow mice destroying grass, causing significant financial loss. Another from November 1580 in Southminster, Essex, mentions an infinite number of mice overwhelming the earth.

Advertisements and Notices

The issue includes advertisements for the British UFO Society, offering details on flying saucers, meetings, and newsletters, and for UFO Services in Warminster, offering accommodation for UFO researchers and ley hunters. There is also a notice that back numbers of 'Lantern' are available and that the next edition will be published in January 1980, with a plea for subscriptions and support.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ley lines, local folklore, historical anomalies, and unexplained phenomena (Forteana). The editorial stance appears to be one of investigation and documentation, presenting various tales and research findings without necessarily endorsing all theories, as seen in the review of 'The Ley Hunter's Companion'. There is a clear interest in preserving and sharing local history and mysteries.