The Brancepeth Brawn
The Bracepeth Brawn was a very large ferocious boar. Wild boar were very common around England and Scotland in the middle ages and were often hunted. But this one was known for being particularly large and caused problems in the area around Brandon Hill and the land between the Rivers Wear and Gaunless.
The Origin Story
One day a young man of the area decided that enough was enough and that he was going to kill the troublesome boar. So he set about digging a giant pit in the forest nearby where the boar had been seen quite often.
Then he covered the hole with branches so as the trick the boar.
When the pig came along, our hero stood on the opposite side of the pit from it, and as the boar charged at him it ran straight into the pit. I'm still puzzled as to why no-one thought of this before??
Once the angry beast was caught it was then killed, butchered and eaten.
The name Brawn was a name that was regularly used to describe particularly fierce and large boar in the area.
Key Locations
Brancepeth is a historic village and civil parish in County Durham, located about 5 miles southwest of the city of Durham. A 12th-century parish church there is renowned for housing the largest collection of 12th- and 13th-century cross-slab tombstones in the North of England
Brancepeth
Brancepeth Castle is a castle in the village of Brancepeth in County Durham, England, some 5 miles south-west of the city of Durham. It is a Grade I listed building. It is a private residence so please check opening times if wanting to visit.
Brancepeth Castle
Mining museum within Spennymoor's historic town hall displaying many fascinating artifacts ranging from the present day back to the 1700s - covering mining in the Northern part of England
Durham Mining Museum
Continue Your Journey Through Storied Landscapes
Explore another legend from North East England and the Scottish Borders.
Next story: The Lubber Fiend
Love the folklore of North East England and the Scottish Borders?
Join the Storied Landscapes Community to receive new legends, reimagined tales, and exclusive folklore maps and stories delivered straight to your inbox.