Unit A
Activity 3
Legends between two worlds
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Group 1The sinister tale of the Redcap
Group 1
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ang1-unita-activity3-group1.mp3
It's no surprise that a castle known as the “guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain” has picked up some stories over the last 800 years. Hermitage Castle was built so close to the border between Scotland and England that just its construction almost caused a full scale war. These enormous walls were built to keep people out, but legend says that they also kept a very sinister creature in. The imposing mass of Hermitage Castle has changed greatly since the 13th century. The castle walls were less foreboding but the man living behind them was so wicked that his story still lingers. He was a member of the Soulis family, butlers to the King of Scots and Lords of Liddesdale. Soulis had been schooled in the dark arts and enjoyed nothing more than death and destruction. He had gained himself a helper for his nefarious deeds, the only creature that enjoyed bloodshed as much as he did. This small beast was called a Redcap, similar to a goblin but with a hat that needed to be soaked in blood to maintain its deep red colour. There was no better place to provide the Redcap with a steady supply of spilled blood than the frontier of the Scottish Borders. In return for the carnage that the Redcap required, it granted Soulis a magical ability. This lord of Hermitage Castle could not be harmed by steel or bound by rope. Soulis grew bold thinking himself invincible. His crimes grew darker, and the Redcap grew happier while people from the surrounding area despaired. Eventually, the locals hatched a plan to rid themselves of Soulis forever. Together, they rose up and stormed Hermitage Castle to seize Soulis. [...]
Throughout it all, the Redcap has supposedly watched from the high walls of Hermitage Castle. It has been a long time since blood was spilled here though. The castle was rendered obsolete with the Union of the Crowns in 1603 and abandoned. If you hear a strange scrabbling noise or catch glimpse of a flash of red inside, then be wary. If that Redcap really is still around, then he must be getting pretty desperate.
Throughout it all, the Redcap has supposedly watched from the high walls of Hermitage Castle. It has been a long time since blood was spilled here though. The castle was rendered obsolete with the Union of the Crowns in 1603 and abandoned. If you hear a strange scrabbling noise or catch glimpse of a flash of red inside, then be wary. If that Redcap really is still around, then he must be getting pretty desperate.
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Robin Redcap captured at Hermitage Castle, Jacob Petersson.
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Questions
You are in charge of one document.
1
What kind of supernatural being or story is described in your document?
2
How does this legend reflect the violence of life in the Scottish Borders?
3
What emotions or values are expressed through this story (fear, loyalty, revenge, belonging, etc.)? Justify with quotes.
Let's talk this out!
4
Present and share what your legend says about the Scottish Borders. Are they shown as a place of danger or connection?
5
Do you think these legends bring Scotland and England closer together, or keep the idea of division alive?
6
If you had to create a modern Border legend, what kind of spirit or ghost would appear today? What would it protect or haunt?
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Think up one line of dialogue a local might say about one of the legends.
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Organise a legendary treasure hunt.
Create digital clues or an interactive map, develop riddles based on legends. For instance, “In an abbey where a heart is buried, look for a carved stone…” for Melrose Abbey. Share your riddles with your classmates!Une erreur sur la page ? Une idée à proposer ?
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j'ai une idée !
Oups, une coquille
