Duncan Frasier

Duncan Frasier was a “local bard” of whom very little is known. He lived c1270 AD, but depending on which ancient manuscript is believed, he either lived “on Cheviot as a mountain bard” or in Berwick.

His writings are described as being “in Latin”.

The sole work which is attributed to him is The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh of which he is allegedly the author.

It is the tale of a loathsome (or in Geordie dialect, "laidly") giant monster, and was later modified by the Rev. Robert Lambe, Vicar of Norham and many other later writers.

The version by Lambe appears in Rhymes of Northern Bards edited by John Bell and published in 1812.

Among the other early publication relating this tale are the 1809 version in “The Northumberland Garland” and “The Local Historian's Table Book of Remarkable Occurrences, Historical Facts, Traditions, Legendary and Descriptive Ballads, &c., &c., Connected with the Counties of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham. Legendary Division. Vol. 1.” Collected by M.A. Richardson of Newcastle upon Tyne by in 1842.

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References


    Harvard University Rare Books Library The Percy Papers purchased Fracis J Childs at auction in 1880/1881 Should be Folio 25 was digitized image around 2009/2012 and Harvard U had the digital image of Laidley Worm notes he sent to Thomas Percy in 1767/1768 Duncan Frasier will be mentioned in those 1767/1768 notes In the Victorian age the scholars were working on the angle that one of Robert Lambe's grandchildren might have the elusive Duncan Frasier manuscript but they were unable to find it So Duncan Frasiers existence is based on the notes Robert Lambe sent to Thomas Percy in 1767/1768 which digital images can be viewed in Harvard U's rare books library "Bishop Percy's papers. Manuscript copies of ballads from Rev. P. Parsons of Wye, Miss Fisher of Carlisle, Principal Robertson of Edinburgh, the Dean of Derry, George Paton of Edinburgh, Rev. Robert Lambe of Norham, Roger Halt, the Duchess Dowager of Portland, and others. In all about 33. 1766-80. Harvard College Library." http://71.174.62.16/Demo/LongerHarvest?Text=Volume_v5p31

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