Tales from English Folklore #1: St Hilda and the Snakes

Whitby Abbey, on the coast of North Yorkshire, is the setting of a curious English legend. It is said that the curly ammonites that erode from the cliffs there are snakes, which were turned to stone after a local abbess prayed for God to banish them.
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[@PierroCh5]

For this recipe, you will need ... A snake, and a pinch of faith.

[@thekingsdaughter4233]

I was going to recommend about two scant cups of faith for this recipe, but then I remembered what the Master Recipe Book says how much can be done with faith the size of a mustard grain. ;-) Potent stuff, that. So a pinch should be fine after all! 👼

[@ishmaelnettles8028]

Pierre C 😂

[@farhanrafi8481]

Lord and lady Braybrooke do not prefer to be served with the head of the snake still intact, though it is a personal preference

[@shantanupanda1650]

St. Hilda: now I'm going to whisk in a pinch of sugar, lord braybrooke prefers his cakes only slightly sweet

[@evermoremystic17]

OMG I was waiting for this!! 😂😂😂

[@CosmicHowlerx]

Omg lol😂😂😂

[@ragnkja]

shantanu panda And sugar was really expensive in St Hilda’s time.

[@gautamsinha5884]

Classic. 😎😂

[@raisa_cherry33]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jmonta21]

Fan theory: Mrs Crocombe is an immortal being, taking different names and identities throughout the years.

[@JustSomeYTuser]

The Doctor!!!!

[@ragnkja]

Prasenjeet Saha No, she’s The Abbess or The Cook.

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

Then where’s her TARDIS?

[@ThomasDawkins88]

@@ElizaHamilton1780 Under the nun's habit. Remember, it's larger on the inside.

[@rachelball1174]

I just knew that Mrs.. Crocombe was a saint. Her food is heavenly.

[@SilkenScribbles]

Oh, I love this one!!!

[@raisa_cherry33]

😂👏❤❤❤❤❤

[@helenel4126]

You beat me to that remark ;)

[@TankEngine75]

Best One

[@evilsnowflake8662]

When preparing snake pie we must always remember to add the nutmeg

[@raisa_cherry33]

😂😂😂😂

[@peanutsinspace]

I've heard *some* houses use Allspice instead but, that wouldn't do here at Audley End House. (Gives famous Crocombe look of disapproval)

[@JpopFanBoy]

@@peanutsinspace - that look needs to be a gif

[@astrinymris9953]

Nutmeg is the Townsends. Don't cross the streams! ;-D

[@evilsnowflake8662]

@@astrinymris9953 didn't they already do that. I enjoy them both.

[@graphite2786]

Actually St Hilda gave the snakes a Mrs Crocombe look of disapproval. The serpents were so mortified their heads fell off and their bodies turned to stone. Medusa's got nothing on our Mrs C!

[@raraavis7782]

graphite Quite so! 😂

[@grannykiminalaska]

❤

[@havingicecream]

Oh no😨 _The Look_

[@unahijadeyemaya]

hahahahaha Top comment!

[@momofmoscow27]

Best

[@tracybaldwin1564]

I see you’re using Kathy in more than just as Mrs Crocombe. Well done. She’s a great historical re-enacter.

[@HaunaMyKiki]

No snakes were harmed in the making of this folklore.

[@kbop4014]

Alana D 😁😂

[@damus_43]

Mate I literally read your comment in a Standard British accent...

[@awrapaoxenhead3984]

Okay, I wasn't the only one who could only see Mrs. Crocombe.

[@ramaahbk6596]

No!! she is perfect and amazingly successful in both of her characters. She did a great job to be able to put her self in various avatars.

[@awrapaoxenhead3984]

@@ramaahbk6596 She did do well for both, but her face is so iconic for me as Mrs. Crocombe, that that was what I saw. Her face was softer and she did a lot in her physicality that was different, and it was great work, I won't deny that.

[@Circle2763]

Am i the only guy who doesn't know who this Mrs Crocombe?

[@aisadal2521]

I really love learning about these tales and seeing them recreated in live action! Great job!

[@christinethornhill]

So do I , Twisting Dervole. Aren't we lucky to have EH ? ❤️👍🏼

[@svensvensson6941]

"After you've said a prayer and turned the snakes into stone, gather them all up and cast them into the tumbling sea...the scullery maids can do that."

[@owowotsthis11]

Best comment 👍🏻

[@overthecounterbeanie]

Kathy Hipperson is truly the star of English Heritage now!

[@kousetsuhana]

This historian gentleman has such a lovely voice and delightful speech.. English heritage always hires the best people! Also, we are all now members of the cult of Hild as well as the cult of Avis.

[@ragnkja]

kousetsuhana I recognised his voice from various BBC series about life on a farm in various periods in Great Britain (England and Wales so far). Whenever there’s a special occasion to celebrate, he’s there to tell the folklore behind it (and partake in the feast).

[@gangurobitch]

kousetsuhana Im pretty sure he's Ronald Hutton.

[@ragnkja]

Amestris Correct. It’s even stated in the video.

[@xTapirmaedchen]

Oh I love when I see historians in more than one "show". I loved Professor Hutton in the victorian/tudor farm series. And I was so happy to hear and see him here again! :)

[@ragnkja]

Victoria And _Edwardian Farm_ and _Tales from the Green Valley._ My favourite, from the October episode of _Edwardian Farm,_ is the ending of his spooky tale of Halloween celebrations of the time.

[@MSW96]

Mrs. Crocom--!! I mean...St. Hilda!!

[@silviasantini7574]

Right ! 😂

[@raisa_cherry33]

😂😂😂😂

[@opalfruitcake]

Mrs. Crocombe is St. Hilda ...... stuff of legend! 😆

[@evnikialezandria8545]

Most comments content are: Mrs. Avis Crocombe is St. Hilda's descendant. I would agree too ;) Keep up the good work English Heritage!!

[@bb22602]

Nope, she is St. Mrs. Crocombe - she is immortal.

[@evnikialezandria8545]

@@bb22602 Haha. Guess so ;) can't wait for their next upload.

[@christinethornhill]

Snake Pie , next week, Mrs C. ?? 🤔

[@christinethornhill]

Thank you English Heritage . We love your videos , St. Hilda is played wonderfully well . ❤️

[@EnglishHeritage]

@@christinethornhill Thank you for your comment, Christine. We hope you'll enjoy this series about myths, legends and folklore.

[@christinethornhill]

@English Heritage ..... Wonderful ! More, please 🍵

[@ringthebellamy]

mood 😂

[@raisa_cherry33]

@@ringthebellamy 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ramaahbk6596]

she is perfect and amazingly successful in both of her characters. She did a great job to be able to put her self in various avatars.

[@debbieboring3422]

Thanks for another great English Heritage video about the Folklore of England.

[@EnglishHeritage]

You're welcome, Debbie! Stay tuned throughout the year for more in this series of myths, legends and folktales.

[@debbieboring3422]

@@EnglishHeritage I am so looking forward to it. Thanks again.

[@Yarncandybycherie]

I have become slowly addicted to these English Heritage videos.

[@simonzov]

That guy's got a hell of a good arm on him at 2:25

[@patriciarivera1705]

Lol

[@marseillais2687]

Mrs. Crocombe, what are you doing?

[@tahdahloo4884]

Marseillais You see, Mrs. Crocombe is immortal!

[@LisaMarli]

I for one am happy to see the actress doing more than one role for you. She does seem to enjoy re-enacting, and more things for her to do.

[@karenburghart1069]

Fascinating story - way to go Mrs. Crocombe!

[@jenineantonettepalisoc7525]

Her status and life were tiresome so she became a cook instead. 😅

[@DaveMK.]

So happy to see this actress getting more opportunity and recognition!

[@telemachus53]

Mrs Crocombe, you have become a star, a celebrity and at last you've been canonised. You deserve it.

[@theresanovak4199]

Nice to see Kathy bringing another English icon to life! Well done!

[@thevioletskull8158]

This folklore thing was amazing,especially the after math.

[@jonathanpolls7702]

Mrs. Crocombe could rid the island of anything with the glare she gives someone who uses a Turbot pot for making puddings!

[@beeboodeeedo4753]

Lol I just watched that. Ya know doing a Crocombe marathon

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

What a fascinating explanation of fossils!

[@LetsBeClear87]

This actress is awesome I’m glad she’s doing other roles can’t wait to see what’s next

[@waterbaby8360]

Love the mix of history and science in this episode. So fascinating.

[@teganl6032]

Ronald Hutton and "Mrs. Crocombe", what a combo! Not to mention quite a way to explains fossils.

[@mygreenfroggy]

Mrs. Crocombe is tougher than you think, and has a direct line to God!! Excellent video.

[@hectorbrown656]

That was great to be able to see one of Mrs Crocombe ancestor , thanks

[@carnival1488]

Loving this new series!!!! :D

[@EnglishHeritage]

Glad to hear! Stay tuned for more episodes throughout the year.

[@TheOnlyDamien]

@@EnglishHeritage I am American and have never even heard these before but still love this series a lot, it's really fascinating and I love learning about this kind of stuff glad to hear there will be more!

[@elysafrancisco7240]

I actually don't have time to watch this right now, but I saw "Mrs. Crocombe" in the thumbnail, I made the time! Lol

[@jerryperez5267]

Mrs. Crocombe dressed as St. Hilda... good show!

[@loveprice2458]

I love this channel, like many Americans, much of my family migrated from Great Britain but that was centuries ago so very little is known about the legends and stories they left behind. Good job resurrecting a neat part of history.

[@Matthew_James]

St. Hilda, cook to Lord and Lady Braybrooke.

[@amnesiacwhaleshark2413]

Next on english heritage: snake pie

[@MossyMozart]

@Matthew James - Or just the cook to the Lord?

[@corvuscorone7735]

An American garter snake that sounds like a rattle snake ( or crickets...?) in early medieval England. I think not ;)

[@bb22602]

But garter snakes are non venomous and quite pretty - good actors for this story.

[@astrinymris9953]

I thought it sounded like a rattlesnake, too! I was going to ask a Brit if snakes in the UK really sound like that.

[@akiramado9198]

Arent you snake saavy？

[@EmmaAppleBerry]

@@astrinymris9953 i think they have only like 2 snakes and only ones bad if it bites you but its not even a bad bad snake like say my snakes here in aus are all evil hahaha. So yeah. Check wildlife aid videos they have a couple snake vids.

[@sweet_ume3902]

This channel has inspired me so much! Thank you 😊

[@lilyjaboh]

Mrs. Crocombe aside, let's appreciate how amazing her acting skills are, well, aside that she is a theater actress herself. I just love her so much ♡

[@normamoore7024]

What better person to explain the legend than the brilliant Prof. Hutton!😊

[@DaisyOh]

This is fantastic, PLEASE make more like it!

[@reddragun43]

I love history brought to life in this manner. Thank you for sharing.

[@chenoaholdstock3507]

I love the sound effects. XD

[@misled1982]

No, no, no, you don't MESS with Mrs. Crocombe!

[@eduardvaniersel7535]

Nice to see professor Hutton make an apperance

[@motherlessgoat72]

You have no idea how much I love these. Thank you so much!

[@celticrose2]

Beautiful video. ❤️ Saint Hilda pray for us. 🙏🏼🕊🌸

[@Keri8198]

I absolutely loved this, and I’m looking forward to see more.

[@drakenhart]

Love it! Can’t wait for more stories 😊

[@firstnamelastname8903]

This series is oustandingly great!

[@guiltyspark3433]

Thank you so much for put captions :3 greetings from colombia

[@laurametheny1008]

Ms. Hipperson! Autocorrect just tried to make that Ms. Hip person! I think it fits! She shows up everywhere! Thanks EH. Thanks Kathy. Mrs. C! Quite entertaining and educational as always🤘💕🇬🇧

[@alainastone7840]

I love the Chaucer-like verse.

[@idontevenknow9758]

Oh, I like this for a series. Folklore is always wonderful to read and learn about. We also get the historical background behind the myths and legends in this video format which is brilliant.

[@lostredsock6989]

I loved this : not too long-winded and the words rhymed

[@hiddenpeople7713]

More of this format please just really Nice with the analyse at the end !!!

[@amikireicraftstore]

Fun fact: The snakes represent the pagans in the land, the same snakes St. Patrick is stepping on. Lovely ♡ As a Pagan myself, I'm not very happy about this hahaha But I do adore the videos of this channel and how well put they are. Yhe historians are always accurate and so awesome! Mrs. Crocombe what are you doing? 😂💜

[@VarongTangkitphithakphon]

here come another interesting series!

[@melinacarrasco7734]

I absolutely loved it, I would like to hear more tales from England ❤

[@latui7350]

Any person named Hilda I immediately love.

[@lifeinrandom89]

Best actress ever!!!!

[@luz9700]

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS PLEASE.

[@carolhaycock7419]

Whatever the role, Kathy brings history to life. Would love to see her portray all sorts of times. Would it be possible to see her sidesaddle in the Tudor Period? I still, of course, love her portrayal of Mrs. Crocombe, as it was my first experience with this amazing actress. She just draws you in.

[@70n24]

I love snakes and I love fossils. This story is one of the best.

[@sugarmagnolia1360]

I am absolutely loving this content. I'm an American, but I'm Appalachian which means I have English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry.

[@erinmoriarty2809]

I love Kathy and she's lovely in this. I think she should just play every character.

[@annabrown2211]

Thank you so much! Not only a lovely video but my A level art project is on British folklore and so these type of videos are incredibly useful for me as well!😊 Please make more!

[@melodycloer1709]

I had never heard that one before! Only about St. Patrick.

[@rose4490]

The tales of early saints from Great Britain always seem rather magical.

[@Statuess]

Fascinating! We have a very similar legend (but with a St. Keyna) in my hometown of Keynsham!

[@lindasheets813]

Beautiful

[@musicallydisneyamvs6731]

My Dad’s mother’s friend was like her. She’d pray and somehow healed my Dad’s leg infection when he was an infant, and made my uncle not depthless anymore...... believer or not she definitely did something.

[@deannastevens1217]

WONDERFUL!

[@KazukiriMishamiota]

At first I was like, "Wait a minute... why are they using ammonites?" But then I realized what the professor was going to say - that the "snakes turned to stone" were ALWAYS ammonites, not some magical miracle.

[@usha9807]

Mrs Crocombe! I'd know those eyebrows anywhere :)

[@smileitsjustagame2937]

So cool! Lots of cool lore here x)

[@vidyagopidas8988]

The music played from 6.28 is really mesmerizing 😍

[@mirandamom1346]

I love Ronald Hutton!!

[@nancyware7282]

Quite grand to see Prof. Hutton again. I love the easy, gentle, way he shares his knowledge with us; sort of a British Mr. Rogers. And was that Peter Ginn out there driving the survey stake?

[@Telenaus]

cant wait to see more

[@sunpi]

Finally she became a cook The easy life

[@Oaktreealley]

I hope there are more of these!

[@blissgirl9052]

Wonderful! Thoroughly enjoyed. In the first bit I had two thoughts: what snakes, and Norman's! You addressed both. Can't wait for the next one. Also... A Certain Mrs. C has a striking resemblance to Saint Hilde ;)

[@dxmxo9427]

So Cool and interesting,well made

[@daveandgena3166]

Saint Mrs. Crocombe AND Professor Ron??? MY HEAD EXPLODED!!!

[@arumcandra7919]

Snake pie for Lord and Lady B for next episode? 🤭

[@franzludwig6064]

St Hilda said to the local folks: Oh, hello! You gave me such a fright! It would have been a disaster if I drop this snake. Snake is one of the grandest animal to serve and is very popular with families like Mr and Lady Braybrook. I have read the Queen eats it quite regularly.

[@raraavis7782]

More please! 😄

[@modestoca25]

Great little story, this is also why Medieval people and other ancient peoples in the Middle east and China thought dragons were about after finding dinosaur bones.

[@UnierJulioBestPersonInTheWorld]

Mrs. Crocombe is indeed a time traveller!

[@wooble73]

More Folklore of England videos please

[@FJMLAM]

Prof Ronald Hutton is always so interesting. A National Heritage himself!

[@v.9964]

This was interesting.

[@michelle1794]

Ok but is this before or after working for the Braybrookes?

[@ragnkja]

Vinca Violet From an outsider’s perspective it’s obviously before, but who knows how The Abbess (known as The Cook in eras without convents) has chosen to travel through time and space?

[@michelle1794]

@@ragnkja She's actually a Doctor companion