Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Sin-Eater of Ross-on-Wye & Other Local Tales

The Sin-Eater of Ross-on-Wye & Other Local Tales

Hirst, Tony

Paperback

Series: Wyedean Tales

Religion General Mythology & Folklore

ISBN13: 9798249960544
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Feb 26 2026
Pages: 156
Weight: 0.41
Height: 0.33 Width: 5.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
Throughout the 19th century, a debate raged amongst antiquarians and folklorists alike about the existence, or otherwise, of the sin-eater, a lamentable figure living on the edges of society who took onto themselves the sins of the dead.

There are few, if any, historical tales or recorded legends of the sin-eater. But what is not in doubt is that the earliest recorded mention describes him as living in Hereofrdshire, near Ross-on-Wye.

And there is one local tale, from the end of the nineteenth century, although recalling a much earlier time, in which the sin-eater makes an appearance - in the story of How Old Maid's Walk Got Its Name.

This collection also includes two other local tales: Old Ellen, and the May Hill Sensation; and the story that shouldn't be mentioned (don't mention the bears!), as well as historial notes on Ross-on-Wye, and the strange tradition of burying those poor unfortunates found guilty of the crime of felo de se, who were buried at a cross-roads with a stake through the heart.

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