Folksburywoods Story Blog

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit sooner. I’ve had to hide from the King’s men lately. I have good news, however. Mrs. MacGregor has agreed to take me in as an apprentice weaver, so I will not have to beg anymore,” said Willow.

Catherine, Daisy, and Willow grew up on a Cornish farm with their widowed mother. The father was killed when the tree he was removing fell the wrong way and crushed him.

Many folks said the widow should sell the prime farmland and move up north with her sister, but the Widow Standish was a stubborn woman who swore to make the farm work.

The three sisters grew like weeds, and soon, the two oldest were doing the work of two men, giving their mother hope that keeping the farm might just come true.

The Fates thought differently, and in the following Winter, the plague ravaged the land, taking the widow and leaving the farm’s future uncertain.

The eldest, Catherine, swore to God they would not lose the farm, as her mother had wished. To help ends meet, Daisy assisted the wise woman with various apothecary duties.

Daisy was indoctrinated into the local coven and learned the dark arts to aid her healing practices.

The locals ignored these affairs because they could not afford to travel to the surgeon, who was far away. In time, Daisy became the best healer in the district, and that is when the trouble started.

Bishop Whiteheart grew weary of the miracles the girl performed since this led his people astray from the Lord.

He warned the child that she must cease all her dark arts or be summoned before the church for heresy.

Daisy feared the church but knew her work helped the helpless, so she became secretive and hid in the woods.

The King appointed a new overseer from London—an Earl who used his position to enrich his fortune.

While riding one morning, he approached the sister working the land and inquired about their parents’ whereabouts. When he learned they were dead, he offered to purchase the land and give them positions as servers in his manor house.

Catherine politely denied his request, telling him it had been her mother’s wish to see the farm remain in the family and bid him good day.

The Earl did not like to be told no, especially by an impertinent young woman, so he devised a scheme to take the land from the girls.

Consulting with the bishop, the Earl learned that Daisy had practiced the dark arts. He claimed himself as a protector of the faith to claim their land.

Royal guards were sent to bring the girls to trial and then burnt at the stake. Locals warned the girls who ran and hid in the forest.

Many risked their lives to bring the girls food, but fortune was against them. Someone was bribed for information about the girls’ whereabouts.

One morning, the guards stormed the forest, and having no means of escape, Willow was hidden in the hollow of a tree while her sisters led the guards away.

“They will burn us. I offer you an option to deny the Earl his prize,” said Daisy.

“Whatever it is, just do it. I can smile from heaven knowing he did not win today,” said Catherine.

Daisy prepared a circle, which the two entered. Reciting ancient words, the witch asked the tree spirits to give them a haven.

“Catherine, walk six paces north and then turn and look at me. I will do the same to the south,” said Daisy.

The girls could hear the shouts and knew time was short. Daisy completed the spell, and both were enveloped in a soft light.

Seeing the light, the guards rushed to the spot but found nothing, so they quickly continued their pursuit. Being unable to catch the girls, the Earl had to settle for their land and a bruised ego.

Willow waited until morning, then ventured out to see if she could locate her sisters. Upon entering the glade, she noticed two trees that weren’t there the day before.

“Oh, I see I found you. I am glad you are safe,” said the child. Willow stayed in Daisy’s forest hut and begged for food until any thought of the sisters faded from the overseer’s mind.

Apprenticing with the local weaver, Willow became the area’s finest weaver.
Her designs showed magical tales of trees and girls hidden in the forest.

Next time you’re in Cornish, you might see one hanging in a local tavern or adorning the town hall.