From Neolithic Tomb to Saxon Forge | The Story of Wayland's Smithy

Welcome to Walking The Wyrd!
On this adventure, I took a beautiful summer walk around the ancient Oxfordshire landscape. My first stop was the Uffington White Horse, which is the oldest hill chalk figure in the UK. Created by our Bronze Age ancestors, the White Horse remains shrouded in mystery and folklore.
I then headed for Wayland's Smithy. This Neolithic chambered long barrow was used by early man to hold the remains of the deceased. Excavations in the 1960s uncovered the mixed remains of 14 people - men, women, and children. The Saxon's later discovered the tomb and believed it to be the forge of the otherworldly blacksmith, Wayland The Smith. His story can be found in Norse Mythology and first appears in textual form in the Poetic Edda. Local folklore has kept Wayland's story alive, and people still visit the long barrow today to view his mysterious forge for themselves.
Filmed with a DJI Pocket 2
Edited using Filmora 13
#history #saxon #germanic #norsemythology #folklore

[@katep23]

Gorgeous time of year in the countryside! Thank you for another fascinating walk.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you, Kate! It's my favourite time of the year for a walk - so much new life everywhere 🙂

[@PanakaNL]

Beautiful walk, great video. so much history. Thank you Nic, for all you hard work, long walks ❤

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you so much, Panaka! I'm glad you enjoyed the walk! ☺️

[@paulus894]

What a beautiful landscape and such a clear sky, it looks like the aurora borealis, the northern lights during the day time. Too bad about the dragon, but fortunately there is still Nessie, the only monster we have in the Netherlands is Mark Rutte. What beautiful folklore stories and those big heavy stones, absolutely fantastic, the UK seems to be a large open-air museum, awesome !!! 💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked this one. It's a beautiful part of the country with lots to see. Appreciate your support once again!

[@jodimusicherself]

Such a gorgeous walk! Loved hearing the Smithy legends. Thank you for all the work you put in to bring us to these magical places! 💕

[@walkingthewyrd]

Ahhh Jodi! Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoy coming along with me! 😊

[@alienbiker5036]

beautiful footage of the oxfordhire landscape thankyou nicola its on my bucket list to visit waylands smithy

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks so much for watching! I hope you enjoy your visit when you get there!

[@DeadColdParanormal]

Brilliant... loved it... cracking 👏🏻 Even in fantasy lore the Elvin Blacksmiths craft weapons and armour like none other. Great job Nic 👍🏻

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks so much, Mark! Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@Lee-St]

I love your videos, and narrative, I look forward to many more. ❤

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you so much, Lee! I really appreciate it! ☺️

[@iainmelville9411]

Really great video. Stay safe and well. Many Blessings,❤,😊.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks so much, Iain! Blessings to you, too. ☺️

[@david_v2.1]

Fantastic Nicola...I visited the White Horse and Wayland's Smithy back in 2017, glad to see you got a much sunnier day than I did! The gods are smiling on you!

[@walkingthewyrd]

Hi David! I hope you enjoyed your visit as much as I enjoyed mine. Wayland's Smithy had a really interesting vibe about it, in my opinion. Hard to describe. What did you think?

[@david_v2.1]

I didn't feel any kind of oppressive atmosphere at the site, only the sheer excitement of being at a tomb I had wanted to see for a long time....sat under the capstone for 15 minutes sheltering from the rain, and even the wet weather didn't dampen my enjoyment of being there...but I have read before that some people who visit this site do get a weird sense of an ominous presence, definitely like someone or something is not happy with people being around...so you're not alone in that experience 👻☠

[@walkingthewyrd]

@david_v2.1 that actually sounds amazing! Maybe Wayland approved of your company! A grey day tends to add to the atmosphere of these places I find. It chucked it down when I was at West Kennet and kinda made it feel more primal. I think a return to Waylands in the winter months may be on the cards! Thanks, David! 🙂

[@DaveFord]

Another splendid video Nic. That Smithy looks like a fascinating place to visit!

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thanks, Dave! Bit of a drive from our neck of the woods, but definitely worth it!

[@daisysunshine1324]

Forgot how beautiful it is there. ❤

[@walkingthewyrd]

It was absolutely wonderful, in so many ways. A really special place.

[@jameswalksinhistory3848]

I totally enjoyed this and have subscribed-Thank you

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you so much, and welcome! Your channel looks right up my street, too. I shall check it out!

[@jameswalksinhistory3848]

@@walkingthewyrd Thank you

[@pwhitewick]

...and what a lovely day you had for it too!

[@walkingthewyrd]

NO WAY have you just watched one of my little videos!! I've watched your channel for ages, back when you had your partner with you, and learnt so much from your content! 🤯 Thanks for stopping by!

[@pwhitewick]

@@walkingthewyrd watched a few now! Always enjoy finding like minded creators.

[@walkingthewyrd]

I really appreciate it! Thank you!

[@sarahhartstone6314]

Absolutely loved this, great job Nick keep it up 👏👏👏❤️

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you! Will do! ☺️

[@SrSpookfest]

Love seeing these places 👋👏thank you 👀

[@walkingthewyrd]

Glad you enjoyed it, SrSpookfest! ☺️

[@philipshewry8886]

Well done, you finally got there!. I've grown up with these sites and have done several rituals at both. including a quite intense one at Waylands last year with the local Goddess Group which was featured in a short film just released on KZbin. You are right about the strange atmosphere there, which is even more intense at night..

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you kindly, Philip! If the footage of the ritual you did with the Goddess Group is available to the public, I'd love to see it!

[@philipshewry8886]

@@walkingthewyrd HI Nic, I haven't a clue how to post links, but if you put 'Unbridled Women' in Search and select the one marked 'Jackie Singer' that should find it for you. It's a very short but powerful film which covers three parts of the project, so there isn't much footage at Waylands, and they worked in the corner away from the monument. This is the only part I was involved in, and as it was a women's ritual I didn't join the Circle but acted as a sort of 'Spiritual Gatekeeper', going in ahead to prepare the site, helping to drum them in, then standing guard as they did the ritual, as the release of emotion did require them to make themselves vunerable .As you said it doesn't always feel welcoming, though I think that's down to the enclosed nature and the feeling of being watched, so you need to mind your manners. there! They chose Beltane because although it's associated with the start of Summer, it also marks the end of the Dark Time, and is linked to Rhiannon, the 'Bridled Goddess' and also a Horse Goddess. They were also seeking to invoke the Blacksmith God Wayland to 'unmake' the forged device they were trying to symbolically destroy.

[@walkingthewyrd]

This is fantastic, Philip! What an experience to be a part of! I shall have a search through KZbin and try and find it. Thank you!

[@barneschitown]

Nice to see you in my neck of the woods! the last few times i've been there this year. someones left what looks like ashes in the head of the chamber. othertimes some type of flower.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Oh, that's interesting. I couldn't see any offerings on my trip. I did have a look about. Maybe the National Trust have recently been in for a tidy up! Thanks for watching!

[@mrbadgermedia2711]

Never went to WS when I lived in the south. Didn't realise how far it went back

[@walkingthewyrd]

It's a really interesting place and definitely worth a visit. Thank you for watching!

[@Simonize41]

Hey Nic. I’ve been to see the Uffington white horse a few times, and of the white horses I have witnessed she definitely remains the most impressive and beautiful. The white horse of Kilburn, near Thirsk (not too far from where I am from) enchanted me as a young lad and I often nagged mum & dad to pay visit to Kilburn, often before or after day trips to Scarborough or Whitby during the long days of summer. Happy times. When I worked on the railway in Woking, as a train guard/conductor I often worked passenger and freight trains to Westbury, where I would see the White Horse of Bratton from those trains. Me and a few friends travelled to see her on a Saturday when I wasn’t working one July weekend. 1987 or 1988 I honestly forget when (yes, I am old). All I remember is that we had a great time and we felt and connected with its history, the history of the time (King Alfred), which is often refuted and contested I might add. But like I said it was a fun and enlightening day… local Cider probably helped.😇😅😆 Oh my, the memories and smile on my face right now… haha. Wonderful! History is just the best. Thanks Nic!🤘🏻🖤 (Love the small Mjollnir pendant.)

[@walkingthewyrd]

Hi Simon! Hope you're doing well. This was so lovely to read! It sounds like you've had some wonderful personal experiences of these chalk hill figures! They are quite something, and I think enchanting is the perfect description that you've used! I love that this video has invoked some happy memories for you. Thank you as always for watching and taking the time to comment ☺️

[@Simonize41]

@@walkingthewyrd Good morning Nic. I’m good thanks, back on the 4:15am get ups (5:30 am starts) for 8 days straight. Deep joy. Not.😉😂 I hope you’re well, too, and staying dry! Yes, you brought back some happy memories indeed. Gives me ideas for the summer.😃Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Take care Nic.🙂👍🏻

[@jayadee6721]

I’m loving your content , been binge watching all day !! Love the history the stories & the amazing locations & scenery 😍 Happy I’ve found your fabulous channel 👍😊

[@walkingthewyrd]

Hi Jaya! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch. I really appreciate it, and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos! ☺️🩷

[@DontScareClaire]

I've always wanted to visit the Uffington white horse, and still haven't made it down there yet! Like you say Nic, it is a shame but understandable that you can't stand on the horse's eye any more, I could think of a wish or two I'd like granted!

[@walkingthewyrd]

It's definitely worth a visit if you ever do head down that way. Wayland's Smithy is also very magical. Thank you for watching my lovely 🖤☺️

[@buzsalmon]

I see a few call you Nic. Since I don't have Facebook or anything but Utube and have started to watch you i wonder what your name is and more about you. I really enjoy your travels! And eagerly have begun to watch you. Also recently saying how beautiful you are however maybe I should not if you are married etc. Anyway both are true. Your work is beautiful and so are you. Thank you for all your work! This was a particularly interesting video as was Portchester.

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you for your kind comments, and thank you for watching my content. I do indeed prefer to be called Nic 🙂

[@carolescutt2257]

Hey 😊 new sub here your great really good stuff ❤

[@walkingthewyrd]

Thank you for the sub! Much appreciated ☺️

[@emmateawitch]

I still think its a draagon not a horse. There is coin ub the roman museum in Cirencester with the uffington white horse on it. the story i was told of Waylans smitthy was that he was the best at shoeing horses so the kning asked to shoe the kings horses then after wayland had finished the king refused to pay so wayland stole the kings horses and set them free. as punishment wayland was tied to that area and could never leave.

[@walkingthewyrd]

I agree about the possibility of the horse being a dragon. The mouth is particularly dragon-like! I've not come across that story of Wayland - very interesting! Thanks for sharing it.

[@discostu2246]

So those larger upright stones.. I found witches knots placed inside the small indentations.. evidence of supernatural malarky 😂

[@walkingthewyrd]

Oh, we do love a bit of supernatural malarky! 😄 That's really awesome, though. I love things like that! Thanks for watching!