The Redcap’s Bloody Rampage.
A Redcap wearing….his red cap.
The border between England and Scotland was, for many centuries, a dangerous place. It was controlled by what were essentially crime families, living in fortified manor houses, who refused to recognise the rule of either England or Scotland, and who were constantly skirmishing with one another. This region was sometimes referred to as The Debatable Lands.
There is a common misconception that Hadrian’s Wall marks the border between the two countries. In truth, this Roman relic lies wholly within England, with the actual frontier running to the north - from Marshall Meadows Bay on the east coast, to the Solway Firth in the west.
It seems almost inevitable that such a violent region would be home to a race of murderous goblins known as Redcaps - though they are also called Powies, Bloody Caps, or Redcombs.
The nineteenth-century folklorist William Henderson described them thus:
“A short, thickset old elf with long prominent teeth, skinny fingers armed with talons like eagles, large eyes of a fiery red colour, grisly hair streaming down his shoulders, iron boots, a pikestaff in his left hand, and (perhaps not surprisingly) a red cap on his head.”
Redcaps were said to dwell in the ruins of castles, preferring any old building with a particularly wicked or unpleasant history. Travellers foolish enough to rest in one of these lairs did so at their peril, for the Redcap would pelt them with stones and do all in his power to kill them. Should he succeed, he would then dip his cap in the victim’s blood. It was believed that if this crimson headgear ever dried out, he would perish - motivation enough for these murderous goblins to keep up their gruesome rampage.
One Scottish nobleman, William de Soulis, master of Hermitage Castle, was reputed to be both a magician and the master of a Redcap familiar named “Robin Redcap.” This dread creature was greatly feared and together he and his master cast terrible spells upon the local people doing much harm. According to legend, de Soulis was eventually captured and taken to the Nine Stane Rig - a stone circle close to his castle - where he met a terrible fate: boiled to death cauldron of hot lead. Robin Redcap still haunts the old castle, where it is said the diminutive terror jealously guards his old masters hidden treasure.
In reality, William de Soulis was imprisoned in Dumbarton Castle, where he died following his confession to involvement in a conspiracy against Robert the Bruce in 1320.
A Redcap could not be overcome by mere human strength. The only means of defence against such a creature was to quote Scripture or brandish a crucifix - both of which would cause it to vanish in flames, leaving behind only a single large tooth.
For a suitably eerie accompaniment, Longshot Nelson and the Disjoints have a wonderfully creepy song about the Redcap - follow the YouTube link below to give it a listen.
Until next time, stay spooky, my friends.
