The Lambton Worm

Ten times round the hill.

Young John Lambton skipped church to fish the Wear and threw a small worm he caught down a well. It grew, coiled round a hill, ate livestock and drank the milk of nine cows a day. Returning from abroad, he fought it in the river in armour set with blades. A witch said he must kill the first living thing he met; he killed a hound instead of his father, so no Lord of Lambton died in his bed for nine generations.