Linton has it's roots in Folklore and the far, distant, Prehistoric past

Linton is linked to it's prehistoric and so called pagan past by folklore and tales of dark deeds and traditions.
It is noted for black dogs, fairies, conjuring up the Devil , ceremonies , Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age remains remains .
Harry Speight writing around 1900 tells us that not far from the church 'In a field-wall bedside the road may be seen some huge glacial boulders and there is one very large one one standing alone in the adjoining field, which from one point of view bears a striking resemblance to a human visage; and a notion prevails amongst the young folk of the neighbourhood that this stone will fall on it's face when it hears the cock crow ' To read more about the folklore of the area follow the link  Northern Antiquarian to an excellent site where these stories and traditions are described in detail

Linton Parish Church - all here is not quite what it seems according to Local Folklore

The Parish Church at Linton is not all that it seems . Local folklore tells that is built on a pagan site and indeed this could be true .Saint Michaels and All Angels church dates back to the Twelfth century - one part dates from 1150.

However it is folklore that dominates the local memory around the site . In his work Upper Wharfedale , published in 1900 Harry Speight  records a more ancient practices 
'The practice at Linton was to walk seven times round the church when the doomed one would appear '
This of course being the Devil himself .

Why North Yorkshire is a Land of Enchantment

Some time ago we decided to begin a Facebook page  dedicated to the archaeology, history , landscape and folklore of North Yorkshire,   . We called it North Yorkshire Land of Enchantment for a very good reason - simply because it is a beautiful land and is much under-represented in terms of what it has to offer the tourist, historian , archaeologist and traveler .
We, Geoff and Gill  had shared many interests and begun to explore before this idea began to grow in our minds .
The logical way forward was to record, photograph and write about what we saw , people we met on the way  and our feelings on our experiences as we continue to discover the land that is North Yorkshire .
We hope the  Facebook page and especially this blog will attract many people and that they will accompany us on the journey around North Yorkshire , it's archaeology, history, hidden history, landscape'folklore and people past and present . Come and join us at https://www.facebook.com/NorthYorkshireLandOfEnchantment