Greetings, noble reader! It is I, your ever-curious and never-quite-there Kernow Chronicler. I recently donned my well-worn boots, shrugged on my weather-beaten coat, and embarked on yet another adventure through our beloved Cornwall’s meandering alleyways. Today, I bring you an almost-truthful tale about St. Michael’s Mount, that famous tidal island just off the coast of Marazion. Now, whether you believe in dragons or not, keep reading; because in Kernow, the line between reality and legend often seems to have been scribbled by a piskie after one too many glasses of scrumpy.
St. Michael’s Mount has long been a subject of fascination, not just for its breathtaking beauty or the majestic castle that sits atop it, but for the whispers of dragons that once roamed its shores1. But how, you ask, does a rock and its adjoining waters become the stuff of dragon legends?
The story begins many eons ago, when dragons ruled the skies. These weren’t your average fire-breathing lizards, oh no! These dragons were Cornish, so they had a taste for pasties and a knack for singing sea shanties. One day, a particularly large dragon, known as Morazion the Magnificent, decided to rest his weary wings upon what is now St. Michael’s Mount. He loved it so much that he declared it his personal perch and the rest, as they say, is history.
Or is it?
You see, the locals of Marazion weren’t too pleased with a giant lizard hogging their prime coastal real estate. So, they devised a plan. Gathering all their Cornish pasties, they laid a trail leading away from the Mount. Morazion, ever the pasty-enthusiast, followed the scent, only to be captured by the villagers who demanded he promise never to return. Being a gentlemanly dragon, he agreed and flew off, but not without leaving behind a few treasures in the nooks and crannies of the mount for the brave souls willing to search2.
Now, every time you visit this majestic isle, remember: beneath its rocky surface may lie dragon gold, waiting to be discovered. So, keep your eyes peeled, and your ears open. For in the distance, if you listen carefully, you might just hear the distant strains of a dragon singing a sea shanty, mourning his lost home.
Do remember, dear reader, St. Michael’s Mount is not just a tourist destination; it’s a living testament to our shared history, folklore, and the whimsical tales that make Kernow so special. Let’s cherish it, for we never know when another dragon might decide it looks like a prime spot for a nap!
Note: Remember, dear readers, that any and all images supplied by The Secret Chronicler have been taken using an ImagiVue: Dream Dimension Lens and therefore, probably, have no actual link to reality.
(Note: The references provided are fictional and created in the spirit of narrative and the actual content was crafted with elements of whimsy and exaggeration. In reality, there are no records of dragons loving pasties or residing at St. Michael’s Mount.)
Footnotes
The Cornish Dragon Tales, Lizard Lullabies Publishing, 1875.
Treasures of Kernow, Penzance Parchments, 1952.