Mother Shipton's Stone Tale (9 photos)

All kinds of seers and soothsayers have always aroused interest by the public. And this character has become so popular in England, which gave rise to many legends.





In the small town of Nuresborough, in the county of North Yorkshire, there is one cave. which has become a place of pilgrimage occultists of all ranks, as well as ordinary tourists. In this cave, if believe the legend, Ursula Southail was born, who later went down in history as Mother Shipton.



She was born in 1488. Mother - young Agatha, on that moment barely celebrated the 15th anniversary. Who the father was is not known. Agatha did not differ in high morality. Subsequently, the people whispered that she conceived from the devil himself. Painfully ugly was a girl - huge head, twisted limbs, burning eyes.

Two years later, Ursula's mother went to a convent. And the child was given to be raised by a local woman. The girl had little interest in games with other children. She was more attracted to animals, birds, herbs. Forest, rivers and own thoughts.



Ursula could look something like this

The guardian claimed that with the appearance of the girl in the house all sorts of damn things happened regularly. The baby did not confirm, and did not denied any involvement in the movement of objects and unexpected dancing fits in the servants.

At 24, she married carpenter Toby Shipton, though had an unattractive appearance. The people began to whisper a woman bewitched a prominent guy. After all, no man in his right mind will be seduced by a little bastard with a hooked nose, burning eyes and twisted body. However, the spouses were interested in the opinion of others few. They lived quite happily, although they did not have children.

Witch and seer



Image from the title page of The Strange and Wonderful History of Mother Shipton (1686)

From that time on, Mother Shipton began to predict the future. At least, it is considered so, since, starting from 1641, they became brochures appear with the predictions of a woman who at that time already 80 years was not alive.

Collected and adapted them into a single collection "Life and Death Mother Shipton by Richard Head. The product turned out to be interesting. IN In particular, the woman predicted such significant events as the reign "Queen of the Nine Days" Lady Jane Grey, the execution of Mary of Scots and defeat of the Spanish by Francis Drake in 1588.



London fire

The list of Mother Shipton's predictions included the famous the fire of London in 1666, and the Great Plague, which claimed the lives of 20% population of the British capital. Of course, they also mention end of the world. Which is logical, because only the lazy did not broadcast about him. And here analogues of such moments as the "clairvoyance" of the children of the Golden Age and aliens "spitting out by the silver Serpent" are not found in any another visionary source.



Mother Shipton Cave and sculpture

How, with such clairvoyance, did the woman not go to bonfire? The explanation is simple: the seer made it clear to the public and representatives of the church, that if something like this happens to her, then everyone who is involved in this will be very, very bad. Wishing take a chance and check for yourself was not found.

Some researchers believe that the image of mother - the purest invention. There was no witch and soothsayer people just wanted to believe in something inexplicable and powerful.



witch house

Others believe that archival evidence is real the existence of the Shipton witch is enough. But in any case, the cave where supposedly a witch was born, became a landmark since beginning of the 17th century. This does not lose its tourist attraction. the object is also due to the enchanted well next to the cave. Objects placed in its water turn to stone within three months. Yes, caps, toys and souvenirs literally turn to stone. Scientists attribute this to a specific evaporation process and increased the level of minerals in the water. But tourists know for sure: it's all about witchcraft.



petrified objects

The controversial historical figure even has his own personal website. Information on which says that not all prophecies are possible mothers are faithful, and some details of Shipton's life may be embellished. But the romanticized image covered with a mystical veil is so excites the imagination of contemporaries.



Moth Callistege mi

Moreover, the witch continues to flutter around the world and follow behind the world with thousands of eyes. Albeit in a peculiar way: in honor of mothers named the moth Callistege (Gonospileia, Euclidia) mi, which us is known as the gray clover owl. On her wings is clearly visible profile of a witch with a long nose, a curved chin and a bottomless with a look.