Cormoran
Cormoran (
Origin
One of many giants featured in
Appearances
Local traditions
The giant eventually known as Cormoran is attributed with constructing
From his post at St. Michael's Mount, Cormoran raided the countryside for cattle.[5] He was distinguished by having six digits on each hand and foot.[6] Folklorist Mary Williams reported being told that the skeleton of a man over seven feet tall had been found during an excavation at the Mount.[7]
Cormoran is often associated with the giant of Trencrom in local folklore. The two are said to have thrown boulders back and forth as recreation; this is given as the explanation for the many loose boulders found throughout the area. In one version, the Trencrom giant threw an enormous hammer over for Cormoran, but accidentally hit and killed Cormelian; they buried her at Chapel Rock.[5]
Jack the Giant Killer
The giant of St. Michael's Mount also appears in the English fairy tale "
In Jacobs's version, the councillors of Penzance convene during the winter to solve the issue of Cormoran's raids on the mainland. After offering the giant's treasure as reward for his disposal, a villein farmer's boy named Jack takes it upon himself to kill Cormoran.[8] Older chapbooks make no reference to the council, and attribute Jack's actions to a love for fantasy, chivalry, and adventure.[10] In both versions, in the late evening Jack swims to the island and digs a 6.75 m (22 ft) trapping pit,[8][10] although some local legends place the pit to the north in Morvah.[11]
After completing the pit the following morning, Jack blows a horn to awaken the giant. Cormoran storms out, threatening to broil Jack whole, but falls into the hidden pit. After being taunted for some time, Cormoran is killed by a blow from a pickaxe or mattock.[9] After filling in the hole, Jack retrieves the giant's treasure. According to the Morvah tradition, a rock is placed over the grave. Today this rock is called Giant's Grave. Local lore holds that the giant's ghost can sometimes be heard beneath it.
For his service to Penwith, Jack is officially titled "Jack the Giant-Killer" and awarded a belt on which was written:[7][8][12]
Here's the right valiant Cornishman,
Who slew the giant Cormoran.
Tom the Tinkeard
The giant of St. Michael's Mount also appears in the
References
- ^ "Chapbooks". L390 Children's Literature. Archived from the original on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ JSTOR 1258088.
- ^ ISBN 0393322114. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- JSTOR 1258088.
- ^ JSTOR 1258088.
- JSTOR 1258088.
- ^ JSTOR 1258967.
- ^ a b c d e f Jacobs, Joseph (1890). "Jack the Giant-Killer". English Fairy Tales. London: David Nutt.
- ^ a b c "Jack the Giant Killer, a Hero celebrated by ancient Historians". Banbury. c. 1820. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ a b "Jack the Giant-Killer: Page 1". Archived from the original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ "St. Michael's Mount and the giant Cormoran". Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- JSTOR 1258088.
- JSTOR 1258088.