may be interesting to notice that a similar exploit is recorded in
the Scandinavian Legends, and may be traced, under many variations of
circumstances and events, in the Icelandic, Danish, and Norwegian
poetry, affording another intimation of the source from whence our
popular mythology is derived.

Towards the latter end of the reign of William, the Norman conqueror,
Gamel, the Saxon Thane, Lord of Recedham or "Rached," being left in the
quiet possession of his lands and privileges by the usurper, "minded,"
as the phrase then was, "for the fear of God and the salvation of his
immortal soul, to build a chapel unto St Chadde," nigh to the banks of
the Rache or Roach. For this pious use a convenient place was set apart,
lying on the north bank of the river, in a low and sheltered spot now
called "The Newgate." Piles of timber and huge stones were gathered
thither in the most unwonted profusion; insomuch, that the building
seemed destined for some more ambitious display than the humble edifices
called churches then exhibited, of which but few existed in the
surrounding districts.

The foundations were laid. The loose and spongy nature of the soil
required heavy stakes to be driven, upon and between which were laid
several courses of rubble-stone, ready to receive the grouting or
cement. Yet in one night was the whole mass conveyed, without the loss
of a single stone, to the summit of a steep hill on the opposite bank,
and apparently without any visible marks or signs betokening the agents
or means employed for its removal. It did seem as though their pathway
had been the viewless air, so silently was all track obliterated. Great
was the consternation that spread among the indwellers of the four
several clusters of cabins dignified by the appellation of villages, and
bearing, with their appendages, the names of Castletown, Spoddenland,
Honorsfield, and Buckland. With dismay and horror this profanation was
witnessed. The lord, more especially, became indignant. This daring
presumption--this wilful outrage, so like bidding defiance to his power,
bearding the lion even in his den, was deemed an offence calling for
signal vengeance upon the perpetrators.

At the cross in Honorsfield a proclamation was recited, to the intent,
that unless the offending parties were forthwith given up to meet the
punishment that might be awarded to their misdeeds, a heavy mulct would
follow, and the unfortunate villains and _bordarii_ be subj