MARCH 2021
storytelling
Table of Contents Robin Hood
Words and Illustration by Anna Stone
Northern Folklore
Words and Illustration by Rachel Middleton
Dungeons & Dragons
Words and Illustration by Abigail Winson
The Good Knight Calls
Words and Illustration by Jethro Wilson
Cover and Endpapers: Anna Stone Editor: Anna Stone
Illustration By: Anna Stone
By: Anna Stone
Robin Hood
If you think of typical British stories, one tale you may think of is King Arthur and his adventures with Merlin. However, you would most likely also think about Robin Hood, the famous outlaw that would steal from the rich to give to the poor, living in Sherwood Forest with his Merry Men. Why has Robin Hood captured so many people’s imagination? Is it because of his kind deeds to the poor? Is it the fact that he has loyal friends, supporting him every step of the way? Is it because people can relate to feeling like an outlaw in some circumstances, and so feel like they connect with him? Or is it because they love the love story between Robin Hood and Maid Marian? The Legend of Robin Hood has many different aspects to love. So much so that there have been multiple films and television shows about him. My favourite would have to be the BBC adaptation, consisting of three seasons, starring Jonas Armstrong as the heroic Robin Hood, Keith Allen as the tyrannical Sheriff of Nottingham, Lucy Griffiths as the beautiful Lady Marian, and Richard Armitage as the jealous Guy of Gisbourne. The plot lines of the different episodes were crafted so well, from the struggle of Robin and Marian’s romance, with her almost hating him at the beginning, to how they fell in love. (As someone who loves romance, I really enjoyed this aspect.) It was also wonderful to see the friendship grow between Robin and his Merry Men, specifically his best friend Much (played by Sam Troughton). From the very beginning you can see the loyalty and trust between Much and Robin. Keith Allen is an amazing actor, and portrayed the Sheriff incredibly well. Despite acting as the bitter and
twisted antagonist, he still managed to make the Sheriff amusing and lovable to the viewer. Even though he mistreated his subjects, and constantly tried to capture and kill Robin Hood, you could still see some softer aspects to him, even if they were only brief moments. If you have not watched this version, I would definitely recommend trying to get hold of it! The first two seasons are by far my favourite ones, but the third is still a good season in its own right. When thinking about what makes a good mythology, there is the obvious heroic character, counteracted by the antagonist. Most likely there would be a romantic love interest, as well as allies to the hero, and allies to the antagonist. Even though the hero would receive all the credit in the mythology, they would not be the hero without all these other characters affecting his or her actions. Robin Hood has a very interesting plot line and has helped draw more attention to Nottingham too. You can visit Sherwood Forest and see a statue of Robin Hood within it. Whichever way you feel you connect or enjoy the Legend of Robin Hood, I think we can all agree that he is at the heart of the British mythologies.
By: Rachel Middleton
Northern Folklore
Folklore has been a vessel of storytelling for centuries. Tales that were passed down from generation to generation and kept alive by those who shared their culture. Whether it was a tale of heroic deeds or a warning to children and communities, these stories had strong imagery which gave meaning to people’s lives and surroundings. It also gave a sense of heritage to landmarks and regions. These were stories that held us to the places we grew up in, and connected us with older generations who could tell us these stories and fill us with both fear and wonder. Growing up in Northern England, I was told about the various myths and creatures that were local to the region. Seeing the landscapes of vast moorlands, rocky crags, rivers, creeks
Illustration By: Rachel Middleton
and rolling hills, you can see the potential for mystic legends of travellers in the past. With conquered beasts like the Lambton Worm wrapped around Penshaw hill, these stories are tied to the land. Some are tales that warn of danger, like the murderous redcaps - dwarves known for soaking their hats in the blood of their victims, or barghests - a ghostly black dog that served as an omen of death. Other creatures were often tricksters, beings with the only intention to perplex any who came across them. Shellycoats, goblins who covered themselves in a cloak of shells which jingled and rattled, would lure travellers off paths and laugh when they became lost in the bogs and swamps. Bluecaps, similar to will-o-thewisps, would appear as blue flames for miners,
and lead them to rich deposits of minerals (if treated with respect). Some folklore have clear connections to cultures that are geographically close. Tales would overlap and be passed on if the environment suited it. Tales of selkies - seal people - are shared in Irish, Borderland, and Scottish folklore, as well as giants which also have close links to Norse mythology. While these tales are vivid and enticing, they are often shrouded in mystery and have begun to fade in relevance. However some communities have kept those tales alive and even embellished them to serve as protection to the land. Iceland has a range of mythology, from trolls to mischievous Nykur (a water horse similar to Scottish Kelpies). One well known folklore is of the hidden people, better known as elves. These beings are said to live
in the rocks and natural landscape of Iceland. Folklore about the hidden people caution about throwing rocks, and taking them away from their original place, or bad luck and harm may follow. As Iceland has fragile landscapes that need preservation, these tales have helped prevent tourists from taking rocks and vandalizing the unique features of the country. There have even been some cases where tourists have returned the rocks they had taken, as they happened upon some bad luck when they left! Whether these stories have come from methods of warning, old traditions, or even new ways of keeping culture alive, I think we can all agree these tales make life a lot more interesting in the world we live in!
Illustration By: Abigail Winson
Dungeons & Dragons By: Abigail Winson
Dungeons and Dragons, or more commonly known as D&D, is basically a group of people (party) who go on some kind of quest together. Dice roles determines if you are successful at certain actions, such as if you able to hit someone with your arrow or persuading someone to give you a free drink at the tavern. You either play a character or are entrusted to be the all-powerful person who decides your fate, also known as the dungeon master. Their
job is to lay out the quest, play side characters and basically be the narrator of the story. Although the game can seem complex with dice roles, stats, and side rules on your character’s abilities. It is essentially telling a story, but it’s not just reading or one person telling you a story, it’s a group of people together telling one epic adventure. Even the dungeon masters still don’t fully know how it
will play out, as the characters (other players) are making the decisions and deciding what to do. Leaving the game open to creativity, in role play, ideas, and solutions to problems that might occur. Anything is possible! If you want your main weapon to be a giant spoon then go for it. Or if you want to shrink yourself and catapult yourself over a wall, then there are ways to achieve this. Some things your party does can make you chuckle.
D&D is a great way to connect as you don’t have to do it in person. You get lost in the game with your character, either that or lost in the snacks you supply yourself throughout the game. I recommend giving it a go as it can seem quite strange at first, but the story you tell together is pretty unique. At the end of the campaign (story) you look back and usually you can’t believe that firstly, you survived (but not all the time), or you end up in a place you didn’t expect.
By: Jethro Wilson
The Good Knight Calls
Illustration By: Jethro Wilson
Copyright © 2021 by Anna Stone, Rachel Middleton, Abigail Winson, and Jethro Wilson. All rights reserved. This publication or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, copied, reprinted, reworked, redistributed, or used in any manner whatsoever without the explicit written permission of the copyright holders.