Lambton Worm
Also called LambtonWorm.
Hailing from English folklore, the Lambton Worm is described as a gigantic worm or serpent that terrorized the Lambton area. This creature’s tale speaks of curses and the importance of honor, as it could only be defeated with a suit of armor covered in razor blades.
At a glance
- Tradition
- English folklore
- Region
- County Durham, England (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Tempest-Bringers
Near this figure
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Body spans multiple valleys or hills
why
large enough to coil itself around a hill
- Serpentine elongated body
why
This monstrous entity is typically described as a massive serpent or dragon-like beast, with some accounts claiming it was large enough to coil itself around a hill.
- Reattaches severed body parts
why
The Worm's hide was said to be so tough that conventional weapons could not harm it, and it possessed the ability to reattach severed parts of its body.
- Impervious hide resists conventional weapons
why
The Worm's hide was said to be so tough that conventional weapons could not harm it, and it possessed the ability to reattach severed parts of its body.
Omens
- Curse persists for nine generations
why
The prophecy stated that he must kill the Worm and then sacrifice the first living thing he saw afterward, or else his family would be cursed for nine generations.
Defensive powers
- Regeneration
why
The Worm's hide was said to be so tough that conventional weapons could not harm it, and it possessed the ability to reattach severed parts of its body.
Curses
- Blighting venom
why
It would devour livestock, snatch away small children, and poison the land with its venom.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Serpent carries
5 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 280.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, p. 281.
- Shadow carries both readings
5 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 280.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, p. 281.
- Death meets
5 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 280.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, p. 281.
- Father meets
5 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 280.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, p. 281.
- Hero meets
5 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 280.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, p. 281.
- Wise Old Man meets
5 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 280.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, p. 281.