David Castleton (Author)
@david-castleton.bsky.social
Writer specialising in the gothic, weird history, folklore, graveyards, myth. Novelist; Non-fic (Shire/Bloomsbury); winner of the Go Gothic Short Fiction Prize. Blog: https://www.davidcastleton.net/serpents_pen_blog
Frankenstein Castle, Hesse, Germany, was the birthplace of an alchemist who allegedly invented an elixir of life & conducted experiments on dead bodies. Some claim he tried to animate the bodies with lightning & that he may have inspired Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. #WyrdWednesday #folklore #gothic
September 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Frankenstein Castle, Hesse, Germany, was the birthplace of an alchemist who allegedly invented an elixir of life & conducted experiments on dead bodies. Some claim he tried to animate the bodies with lightning & that he may have inspired Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. #WyrdWednesday #folklore #gothic
Mount Vesuvius, near Naples, was - according to Roman myth - once inhabited by a race of giant bandits. These 'sons of the earth' were subdued by Heracles, who seems to have been worshipped in the surrounding area. #FairytaleTuesday #folklore #mythology #history
September 2, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Mount Vesuvius, near Naples, was - according to Roman myth - once inhabited by a race of giant bandits. These 'sons of the earth' were subdued by Heracles, who seems to have been worshipped in the surrounding area. #FairytaleTuesday #folklore #mythology #history
Lady Chatterley's Lover was 1st published privately in Florence. An attempt by Penguin in 1960 to publish an uncensored version in the UK resulted in an obscenity trial at the Old Bailey, which Penguin won. Helped by this publicity, 3 million copies were soon sold #LegendaryWednesday #booksky #books
August 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Lady Chatterley's Lover was 1st published privately in Florence. An attempt by Penguin in 1960 to publish an uncensored version in the UK resulted in an obscenity trial at the Old Bailey, which Penguin won. Helped by this publicity, 3 million copies were soon sold #LegendaryWednesday #booksky #books
The Greek sun god Helios driving his chariot across the sky. A fairly minor deity, Helios was maybe best known for having his cattle killed & eaten by Odysseus's men. In later antiquity, he grew in importance due to being identified with powerful solar gods like Apollo & Sol. #FolkyFriday #folklore
August 15, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The Greek sun god Helios driving his chariot across the sky. A fairly minor deity, Helios was maybe best known for having his cattle killed & eaten by Odysseus's men. In later antiquity, he grew in importance due to being identified with powerful solar gods like Apollo & Sol. #FolkyFriday #folklore
The elephant & castle is a traditional symbol of strength. It was used on coinage in the 1st century BC. The Romans used war elephants, including in the invasion of Britain. The South London area of Elephant & Castle likely derives its name from a pub. #FairytaleTuesday #history #folklore #London
August 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The elephant & castle is a traditional symbol of strength. It was used on coinage in the 1st century BC. The Romans used war elephants, including in the invasion of Britain. The South London area of Elephant & Castle likely derives its name from a pub. #FairytaleTuesday #history #folklore #London
Superstition states that if you spill salt during a meal, you should throw some over your shoulder to avoid bad luck or to keep evil at bay. This possibly links back to a time when salt was very expensive so it was considered bad luck to waste it. #FolkyFriday #folklore #history #food
August 8, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Superstition states that if you spill salt during a meal, you should throw some over your shoulder to avoid bad luck or to keep evil at bay. This possibly links back to a time when salt was very expensive so it was considered bad luck to waste it. #FolkyFriday #folklore #history #food
"Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall" William #Shakespeare, Measure for Measure. #ShakespeareSunday #literature #theatre #books #gothic
August 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
"Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall" William #Shakespeare, Measure for Measure. #ShakespeareSunday #literature #theatre #books #gothic
Dozmary Pool, on Bodmin Moor, #Cornwall, is said to have been the abode of the Lady of the Lake of Arthurian #mythology. It was also said to be home to a grim giant or damned soul who could be heard howling on stormy nights. My article: www.davidcastleton.net/dozmary-pool... #WyrdWednesday #folklore
February 12, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Dozmary Pool, on Bodmin Moor, #Cornwall, is said to have been the abode of the Lady of the Lake of Arthurian #mythology. It was also said to be home to a grim giant or damned soul who could be heard howling on stormy nights. My article: www.davidcastleton.net/dozmary-pool... #WyrdWednesday #folklore
St Valentine's Keys are exchanged between lovers in Italy in the belief they may 'unlock the giver's heart'. Some also see them as a charm to ward off epilepsy, which in #medieval times was called 'St Valentine's Malady'. #FairytaleTuesday #gothic #folklore #weird
February 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
St Valentine's Keys are exchanged between lovers in Italy in the belief they may 'unlock the giver's heart'. Some also see them as a charm to ward off epilepsy, which in #medieval times was called 'St Valentine's Malady'. #FairytaleTuesday #gothic #folklore #weird
In addition to Loch Ness, several other Scottish lakes claim monsters. In Loch Morar lurks Morag. The first sighting is said to date to 1887. Two men in a boat attacked by Morag described her as brown, 25-30-feet long & with three dorsal humps. #SwampSunday #folklore #Scotland #weird #cryptoids
February 9, 2025 at 7:22 PM
In addition to Loch Ness, several other Scottish lakes claim monsters. In Loch Morar lurks Morag. The first sighting is said to date to 1887. Two men in a boat attacked by Morag described her as brown, 25-30-feet long & with three dorsal humps. #SwampSunday #folklore #Scotland #weird #cryptoids
"Frame your mind to mirth and merriment, which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life." #Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew. #ShakespeareSunday #literature #books #theatre
February 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM
"Frame your mind to mirth and merriment, which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life." #Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew. #ShakespeareSunday #literature #books #theatre
The Greek goddess Hecate was associated with crossroads & boundaries. Some felt she had the power to unlock gates between realms. The poet Theocritus stated she could unlock the gates of death. Virgil described the entrance to Hades as 'Hecate's Grove'. #BookWormSat #folklore #mythology #art
February 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The Greek goddess Hecate was associated with crossroads & boundaries. Some felt she had the power to unlock gates between realms. The poet Theocritus stated she could unlock the gates of death. Virgil described the entrance to Hades as 'Hecate's Grove'. #BookWormSat #folklore #mythology #art
In Frensham, Surrey, are 3 hills called the Devil's Jumps. #Folklore claims the Devil stole a cauldron from a local witch, who set off on her broomstick in pursuit. As he ran away, the Fiend made three huge leaps, throwing up mounds of dirt that became the hills. #FolkyFriday #gothic #weird
February 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
In Frensham, Surrey, are 3 hills called the Devil's Jumps. #Folklore claims the Devil stole a cauldron from a local witch, who set off on her broomstick in pursuit. As he ran away, the Fiend made three huge leaps, throwing up mounds of dirt that became the hills. #FolkyFriday #gothic #weird
It's said that if it rains on St Swithun's Day (15th July) it will rain for the next 40 days. #Folklore claims comes from him asking to be buried outside where the raindrops would fall on his tomb. When moved indoors in 971, he expressed his displeasure with a torrential downpour. #WyrdWednesday
February 5, 2025 at 8:07 PM
It's said that if it rains on St Swithun's Day (15th July) it will rain for the next 40 days. #Folklore claims comes from him asking to be buried outside where the raindrops would fall on his tomb. When moved indoors in 971, he expressed his displeasure with a torrential downpour. #WyrdWednesday
Jack Frost is a figure in English #folklore said to leave fernlike patterns of ice on windows & to nip fingers & toes. The 1st known reference to Jack is in the book 'Round about our Coal Fire', 1732, but he may have roots in older personifications of winter. #FairytaleTuesday #history #weird
February 4, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Jack Frost is a figure in English #folklore said to leave fernlike patterns of ice on windows & to nip fingers & toes. The 1st known reference to Jack is in the book 'Round about our Coal Fire', 1732, but he may have roots in older personifications of winter. #FairytaleTuesday #history #weird
A monster has been spotted several times in and around the St Johns River, #Florida. Descriptions have ranged from a brontosaurus to a big manatee-type creature to a dragon-like animal with a head resembling a snail's with giant horns. #SwampSunday #folklore #weird #cryptozoology
February 2, 2025 at 7:20 PM
A monster has been spotted several times in and around the St Johns River, #Florida. Descriptions have ranged from a brontosaurus to a big manatee-type creature to a dragon-like animal with a head resembling a snail's with giant horns. #SwampSunday #folklore #weird #cryptozoology
Narcissus was the subject of a prophecy - that he would only live long if he never knew himself - & a curse: that the one he fell in love with could never love him back. He fell for his own reflection in a pool & melted away from the fire of his passion. #FolkloreSunday #folklore #mythology #art
February 2, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Narcissus was the subject of a prophecy - that he would only live long if he never knew himself - & a curse: that the one he fell in love with could never love him back. He fell for his own reflection in a pool & melted away from the fire of his passion. #FolkloreSunday #folklore #mythology #art
"By heaven, I will tear thee joint from joint
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs
The time and my intents are savage, wild,
More fierce and inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea."
#Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet. #ShakespeareSunday #graveyard #gothic #literature #books
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs
The time and my intents are savage, wild,
More fierce and inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea."
#Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet. #ShakespeareSunday #graveyard #gothic #literature #books
February 2, 2025 at 6:37 PM
"By heaven, I will tear thee joint from joint
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs
The time and my intents are savage, wild,
More fierce and inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea."
#Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet. #ShakespeareSunday #graveyard #gothic #literature #books
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs
The time and my intents are savage, wild,
More fierce and inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea."
#Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet. #ShakespeareSunday #graveyard #gothic #literature #books
Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce begins and ends with the same sentence. So, after making the colossal effort to slog through the gargantuan, barely comprehensible tome, you end up right back where you started - something that probably amused Joyce immensely. #BookWormSat #literature #books #weird
February 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce begins and ends with the same sentence. So, after making the colossal effort to slog through the gargantuan, barely comprehensible tome, you end up right back where you started - something that probably amused Joyce immensely. #BookWormSat #literature #books #weird
Prometheus stole fire from the Greek gods & gave it to humanity, for which he was severely punished. Seen as the author of human arts & sciences, he represented the striving for knowledge. The Romantics saw him as a lone genius, whose efforts could lead to tragedy. #FolkyFriday #folklore #mythology
January 31, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Prometheus stole fire from the Greek gods & gave it to humanity, for which he was severely punished. Seen as the author of human arts & sciences, he represented the striving for knowledge. The Romantics saw him as a lone genius, whose efforts could lead to tragedy. #FolkyFriday #folklore #mythology
Orpheus is a poet of Greek #mythology whose songs could charm wild beasts & make rocks & trees dance. He visited the underworld & even won over Hades. After he was torn apart by followers of Dionysus, his head - still singing - floated down the River Hebrus. #BookologyThursday #folklore #poets
January 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Orpheus is a poet of Greek #mythology whose songs could charm wild beasts & make rocks & trees dance. He visited the underworld & even won over Hades. After he was torn apart by followers of Dionysus, his head - still singing - floated down the River Hebrus. #BookologyThursday #folklore #poets
#London legend claims that the Celtic Queen Boudicca is buried beneath Platform 10 of Kings Cross Station and that she made her last stand against the Romans at nearby Battle Bridge on the now-buried River Fleet. #FairytaleTuesday #folklore #weird #psychogeography
January 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
#London legend claims that the Celtic Queen Boudicca is buried beneath Platform 10 of Kings Cross Station and that she made her last stand against the Romans at nearby Battle Bridge on the now-buried River Fleet. #FairytaleTuesday #folklore #weird #psychogeography
"It is far harder to kill a phantom than a reality." Virginia Woolf. #BookwormSat #literature #books #writing #reading #authors
January 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
"It is far harder to kill a phantom than a reality." Virginia Woolf. #BookwormSat #literature #books #writing #reading #authors
25th Jan - St Paul's Day - was a day for predicting the weather for the year: "If Paul's be fair & clear, we shall have a happy year, But if it be both wind & rain, dear will be all types of grain ... If clouds & mist do dark the sky, great store of birds & beasts shall die." #FolkyFriday #folklore
January 24, 2025 at 8:46 PM
25th Jan - St Paul's Day - was a day for predicting the weather for the year: "If Paul's be fair & clear, we shall have a happy year, But if it be both wind & rain, dear will be all types of grain ... If clouds & mist do dark the sky, great store of birds & beasts shall die." #FolkyFriday #folklore
According to #folklore, anybody born on Christmas Day would be exceptionally lucky, would never see spirits or ghosts, and would never die by drowning or being hanged. #FolkloreThursday #weird
January 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
According to #folklore, anybody born on Christmas Day would be exceptionally lucky, would never see spirits or ghosts, and would never die by drowning or being hanged. #FolkloreThursday #weird