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Whitby Myth and Folklore: Hob - Whitby Online

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Whitby Myth and Folklore: Hob

The name 'Hob' has been noted as a generic term given to a goblin, boggle or brownie. Hobs are frequently described as short, hairy, ugly and bad tempered. Despite some claims that they have also been know to heal and help the Bogart is more commonly characterised by malevolence and causes mischief by souring milk, turning stock lame and hiding peoples' belongings. If you were unlucky enough to find your house inhabited by a troublesome Hob running away would not help as you would only be followed! The very worst thing to do would be to give the Bogart a name as once this has been done there will be no reasoning with him. Whilst commonly a house hold creature several of Whitby's local beauty spots have links with Hobs and Bogarts which can be seen reflected in their names; Boggle Hole and Hob Hole begin the most obvious.
Boggle Hole lies between Whitby and it's coastal neighbour Robin Hoods Bay. In local folklore Boggles were believed to be little people that inhabited many of the caves running along the coast and these tales may have been the inspiration for the characters found in the pages of of Robin Jarvis' trilogy 'The Whitby Witches'. In reality it is thought that this natural costal cave was actually used by local smugglers as a place to unload and hide their contraband. Hob Hole lies near the fishing village of Runswick Bay and is said to be inhabited by a Hob with an uncommon gift. The local fishermen and their families are said to have believed that the cave's resident Boggle could cure whooping cough. Whilst the fishermen themselves where apparently too fearful to cross the entrance to the cave at night their wives are said the have shown more courage in times of need by carrying their sick children down to the cave with them to call upon the Hobs mystical healing powers.
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