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Dragon slayer · Sockburn · Famous

The Sockburn Worm

The worm that bought an estate.

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Illustration: The Sockburn Worm
The legend
Dragon slayerFamous

The Sockburn Worm

Jabberwocky's ancestor?

See it clearly

What's there
Ruined church in a river loop
Legend from
Darlington
Tone
Heroic
DragonsCustoms

Before you go

Ruined church on private land in a loop of the Tees; the falchion is in Durham Cathedral's museum. Check before you go.

  • All Saints Church, Sockburn
  • Near A167
  • The pin marks the spot.

A sword for a dragon.

Sir John Conyers is said to have slain a monstrous worm at Sockburn with a falchion. The Conyers lands were held by presenting the falchion to each new Bishop of Durham, a tenure recorded at an inquest in 1396. The custom lapsed but was revived in 1984. The falchion is now displayed at Durham Cathedral.

Sources

  1. Sockburn Worm, Wikipedia —
  2. The Conyers Falchion, Durham Cathedral —
  3. Sockburn, British History Online —

Legends nearby

More County Durham folklore →