In Trust and Honesty, I ventured into the realms of fantasy to tell the story of two giant brothers residing in the enchanting expanse of the Peak District in Derbyshire. The narrative unfolds with the death of one brother, leaving behind a hidden treasure trove of gold and gems. The surviving brother, driven by the desire to uncover this wealth, embarked on an endless quest, digging through the earth. His relentless efforts birthed the creation of a lake at Pemberley. According to Mr. Darcy, whether the treasure was ever found remains a mystery. The giant was credited with creating the Lake District, however.
I found many legends of giants from Derbyshire; however, mine was not one of them. My favorite giant folklore is of the Peeing Giant. As the tale goes, a group of women, defying the church's stern views on Sunday dancing, found themselves coming face to face with a giant. Perched atop the pinnacles of Robin Hood’s Stride, he conducted a shocking display of public indecency. He dropped trou and urinated right in front of them! I don’t know if it was the sight of a giant, the sight a giant’s… ahem, or the fact that they had been dancing on a Sunday, but suddenly the unsuspecting women were turned to stone.
This legend, ripe with humor and a touch of rebellion, immediately captivated my interest. Unfortunately, it found no place in Trust and Honesty, as the image of the dignified Mr. Darcy sharing such a coarse tale with Elizabeth seemed far too inconsistent.
For those captivated by the enchanting world of folklore and the picturesque landscapes that inspire such tales, I encourage you to explore further. If you would like to know more about the magical legends and the peculiar charm of Derbyshire's folklore, Dancing Stones and Peeing Giants offers a treasure trove of short tales.