Blue Ben is a legendary dragon from Kilve in West Somerset, England. The skull of a fossilized Ichthyosaur on display in a local museum is sometimes pointed out as belonging to him.[1] A promontory near East Quantoxhead, approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Kilve, also bears the name Big Ben.
Legend
editThe story exists in more than one version. Usually, Blue Ben dwells in the shale caves along the Somerset coast, regularly bathing in the nearby waters in order to cool himself after breathing fire. In order to avoid getting stuck in the extensive mud flats between the water and his lair, he built the limestone causeway there to provide him safe passage.
The Devil, who had watched Blue Ben for some time, decided to capture him for use as a mount.[2] The Devil rode the dragon mercilessly through the fires of Hell until the dragon escaped. Hurrying to get back to the security of his lair, Blue Ben made the mistake of tramping through the mud flats. He got stuck in the mud, which consumed him.[1] An alternative version of the story says that he lived inland but went to Kilve to cool off.[3]
Skull
editIn the early 19th century the Blue Lias shale formation outside of Kilve was quarried, during which process the fossilized skull of an Ichthyosaur was uncovered, which was said to be the remains of Blue Ben. The skull is now on permanent display in the Wells and Mendip Museum at Wells, Somerset,[4] or the Museum of Somerset at Taunton.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Blue Ben of Kilve - Mysterious Britain & Ireland". Mysterious Britain & Ireland. Archived from the original on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ Barrie, Alexander (2005). Sutton Companion to the Folklore, Myths and Customs of Britain. The History Press. ISBN 9780750954273.
- ^ Jacksties, Sharon (2011). Somerset Folk Tales. The History Press. ISBN 9780752478197.
- ^ "There Be Dragons Here: Blue Ben and Englands Limestone Pavement". Mysterious Universe. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ Hargreaves, Joyce (2006). A Little History of Dragons. Wooden Books. ISBN 978-1904263487.
- ^ Snelling, Roy (2015). The Dragons of Somerset: And Their Relation to Dragons of the World. Spiritual Genesis. ISBN 9781783016327.