Jack the Giant-killer fights Cormoran the Giant!
By zteve t evans
Cormoran - Public Domain
Cormoran the Giant has many legends associated with him but he is probably best known as the giant who some say, with the aid of his wife, Cormelian, created the tidal island of St Michael's Mount which lies a few hundred yards off off the coast of Cornwall, near the town of Marazion. He is said to have built the island by carrying blocks of white granite across the sea from the mainland. Cormelian was said to have helped by carrying the granite blocks in her apron.
From here he would wade across the short stretch of sea to the Cornish mainland to steal the sheep and cattle of the local farmers. In one version of the legend Cormorant grew weary carrying the blocks and took a rest falling asleep. His wife carried on working but decided to fetch green stones instead of white granite because it was nearer. Cormoran woke when she was halfway across. Seeing she was bringing different blocks of stone he grew angry and kicked her. This caused her to go of her hold on her apron which allowed the stoned to fall into the sea forming Chapel Rock.
From here he would wade across the short stretch of sea to the Cornish mainland to steal the sheep and cattle of the local farmers. In one version of the legend Cormorant grew weary carrying the blocks and took a rest falling asleep. His wife carried on working but decided to fetch green stones instead of white granite because it was nearer. Cormoran woke when she was halfway across. Seeing she was bringing different blocks of stone he grew angry and kicked her. This caused her to go of her hold on her apron which allowed the stoned to fall into the sea forming Chapel Rock.
The death of Cormelian
In local folklore Cormoran was said to have had a friend known as the giant of Trencrom. The two were said to throw boulders back and forth to each other for fun.
This is said to be the reason why there are so many loose boulders scattered around the area. According to one version of the legend, one day the Trencom giant hurled a huge hammer for Cormoran to catch, but the hammer hit Cormelian killing her. She was said to have been buried at Chapel Rock.
Origin of the name “Cormoran”
The name Cormoran is not thought to be of Cornish origin though it may relate to Corineus, the legendary founder of Cornwall who wrestled and defeated a giant whose name was Gogmagog. The name Cornwall is believed to be derivative of the name Corineus. It may be that this fight was an early precursor to the legends associated with Cormoran.
In local folklore Cormoran was said to have had a friend known as the giant of Trencrom. The two were said to throw boulders back and forth to each other for fun.
This is said to be the reason why there are so many loose boulders scattered around the area. According to one version of the legend, one day the Trencom giant hurled a huge hammer for Cormoran to catch, but the hammer hit Cormelian killing her. She was said to have been buried at Chapel Rock.
Origin of the name “Cormoran”
The name Cormoran is not thought to be of Cornish origin though it may relate to Corineus, the legendary founder of Cornwall who wrestled and defeated a giant whose name was Gogmagog. The name Cornwall is believed to be derivative of the name Corineus. It may be that this fight was an early precursor to the legends associated with Cormoran.
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Jack the Giant-killer
According to the folklorist, Joseph Jacobs, In the English fairy tale Jack the Giant-killer, Cormoran measures 18 feet tall and has a waist circumference of 9 feet. He was also said to have six digits on each hand and foot.
His home was a cave on St Michael's Mount where he walks across to the mainland at low tide to forage for food. According to Jacobs he would eat men, women, children and any animals he came across. He caused so much trouble the Councillors of Penzance called a meeting one day to find a plan to deal with him. After much discussion it was decided to offer Cormoran's treasure to anyone who would rid Cornwall of him for good.
A farmer's boy named Jack decided to take up the challenge. One evening Jack swam across to the island and began digging a pit on a path the giant was accustomed to using in the morning when he woke from sleep. Jack worked through the night and by dawn had managed to dig a pit deep enough to bury the giant completely. In some versions this takes place on St Michael's Mount but in others it takes place in Morvah.
However all versions agree that at sunrise Jack blew a loud blast on a horn causing Cormoran to wake with a start. Getting up from sleep Cormoran rushes out of his cave to see what is happening. Jack is waiting and calls the giant names and taunts him. In a rage the giant chases Jack down the path with the morning sun in his eyes. In the nick of time Jack jumps over the pit but the giant has the sun in his eyes and does not see it and falls into. Jack grabs his pickaxe which he had left ready and drives it into the giant's head killing him.
According to the Morvah version a huge boulder was placed over the pit containing the giant and the place is known as Giant's Grave. Local legend says that sometimes the ghost of the giant can be heard underneath.
Jack then collects Cormoran's treasure as was agreed with the grateful Councillors of Penzance. The people were delighted with Jack for ridding them of Cormoran and gave him a belt with the following inscription written upon it: Here's the right valiant Cornishman,Who slew the giant Cormoran.
Cormoran was the first giant Jack killed and was to set him on his way to become the famous giant-killer of folklore.
© 20/01/2015 zteve t evans
According to the folklorist, Joseph Jacobs, In the English fairy tale Jack the Giant-killer, Cormoran measures 18 feet tall and has a waist circumference of 9 feet. He was also said to have six digits on each hand and foot.
His home was a cave on St Michael's Mount where he walks across to the mainland at low tide to forage for food. According to Jacobs he would eat men, women, children and any animals he came across. He caused so much trouble the Councillors of Penzance called a meeting one day to find a plan to deal with him. After much discussion it was decided to offer Cormoran's treasure to anyone who would rid Cornwall of him for good.
A farmer's boy named Jack decided to take up the challenge. One evening Jack swam across to the island and began digging a pit on a path the giant was accustomed to using in the morning when he woke from sleep. Jack worked through the night and by dawn had managed to dig a pit deep enough to bury the giant completely. In some versions this takes place on St Michael's Mount but in others it takes place in Morvah.
However all versions agree that at sunrise Jack blew a loud blast on a horn causing Cormoran to wake with a start. Getting up from sleep Cormoran rushes out of his cave to see what is happening. Jack is waiting and calls the giant names and taunts him. In a rage the giant chases Jack down the path with the morning sun in his eyes. In the nick of time Jack jumps over the pit but the giant has the sun in his eyes and does not see it and falls into. Jack grabs his pickaxe which he had left ready and drives it into the giant's head killing him.
According to the Morvah version a huge boulder was placed over the pit containing the giant and the place is known as Giant's Grave. Local legend says that sometimes the ghost of the giant can be heard underneath.
Jack then collects Cormoran's treasure as was agreed with the grateful Councillors of Penzance. The people were delighted with Jack for ridding them of Cormoran and gave him a belt with the following inscription written upon it: Here's the right valiant Cornishman,Who slew the giant Cormoran.
Cormoran was the first giant Jack killed and was to set him on his way to become the famous giant-killer of folklore.
© 20/01/2015 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
Copyright January 20th, 2015 zteve t evans
Copyright January 20th, 2015 zteve t evans
- Cormoran - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Jack the Giant Killer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- English Fairy Tales: Jack the Giant-Killer
