Wild Boar of Westmorland
Legend of a ferocious boar slain by Richard de Gilpin.
The Wild Boar of Westmorland is a legendary creature from the reign of King John (1199–1216), said to have terrorized the forest between Kendal and Windermere. The legend centers on Richard de Gilpin, who slew the boar and was rewarded with the lordship of the manor of Kentmere. The story is preserved in local tradition and in a biography by George Carleton, Bishop of Chichester.
- Type
- Legendary creature
- Period
- Reign of King John (1199–1216)
- Location
- Forest between Kendal and Windermere, Westmorland
- Associated figure
- Richard de Gilpin
- Known for
- Terrorizing villagers and pilgrims; slain by Richard de Gilpin
Lore & Background
According to the legend, during the reign of King John (1199–1216), a ferocious wild boar infested the forest between Kendal and Windermere, with its den near Scout Scar. The creature's malignant and unwonted ferocity was widely reported, and pilgrims visiting the Holy Cross at Plumgarths and the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin on St. Mary's Isle on Windermere feared the journey through Crook and over Cleabarrow, the boar's main haunt. Local inhabitants were never safe from its attacks.
Richard de Gilpin resolved to free the people from these attacks. He tracked the monster through the forest and, after a dramatic fight, slew it on the spot now known as the Wild Boar Inn, on the banks of a stream thereafter called the Gilpin. For his exploits, he changed his family crest to include a black boar on a gold background and was rewarded with the lordship of the manor of Kentmere by the Baron of Kendal.
The event was immortalized in a song called 'Minstrels of Winandermere.' George Carleton, Bishop of Chichester (1619–28), wrote in his life of Bernard Gilpin that Richard 'slew a wild boar raging in the neighbouring mountains like the boar of Erymanthus, brought great damage upon the country people, and was as a reward for his services given the manor of Kentmere by the then Baron of Kendal.'
Reader's Guide
The Wild Boar of Westmorland legend is significant as a local folk tale that explains the origin of place names (the Gilpin stream, the Wild Boar Inn) and a family crest. It reflects the dangers of medieval forest life and the archetype of the heroic hunter. The story is preserved in two sources: a legendary account and a biographical reference by Bishop George Carleton, which compares the boar to the Erymanthian boar of Greek myth. The legend also ties into the religious landscape of the time, with pilgrims visiting local holy sites. While the historical accuracy is uncertain, the tale has endured in local tradition and family history, illustrating how folklore can shape regional identity and commemorate a supposed ancestor's bravery.
Did You Know?
- The boar's den was said to be near Scout Scar.
- The spot where the boar was slain became the site of the Wild Boar Inn.
- The stream where the boar was killed is known as the Gilpin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wild Boar of Westmorland?
It is a legendary ferocious boar from the reign of King John (1199–1216) that reportedly terrorized villagers and pilgrims in the Westmorland region. The creature is best known as the adversary slain by the local hero Richard de Gilpin.
Where did the Wild Boar of Westmorland roam?
The boar was said to haunt the forest stretching between Kendal and Windermere in Westmorland, striking fear into travelers and locals who passed through the area.
Who killed the Wild Boar of Westmorland?
Richard de Gilpin is credited with slaying the beast, an exploit that made him a celebrated figure in the region's oral tradition.
What reward did Richard de Gilpin receive for slaying the boar?
According to the legend, King John granted de Gilpin the lordship of the manor of Kentmere as a reward for ridding the area of the dangerous creature.
Where is the story of the Wild Boar of Westmorland recorded?
The tale survives in local oral tradition and is also preserved in a biography written by George Carleton, Bishop of Chichester, making it one of the better-documented regional legends of medieval England.
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