2.3. British Dragons

British dragons were a threat to the very survival of man, in addition to his ability to conquer unknown territories. They were blamed for almost all natural disasters: floods, fires, livestock deaths, famine, dried-up wells, droughts, plague, poisonous wells, etc. They were found in every environment, so there really wasn't an escape. They were said to hatch from leather-like eggs or were born from the horrible vapors that surrounded ancient tombs. At first, dragons were honored for their protection of water, as most dragons have been. They were found in isolated areas where water was abundant. Lakes, streams, bogs, ponds, and other large water sources frequently held a dragon of some sort, though most of the time they tried to stay hidden. Regrettably, as fear of dragons rose, the people's need for annihilation also began to rise. As this happened, even the guardian dragons had to be killed. Most dragons were killed by royalty or those of more noble or holy birth, but the occasional peasant was able to kill them. Two of the more common methods used were to use axes and cut them up, or use balls of some combustible material thrown down the dragons' gullets. Because of the great heat within dragons, the material would explode, thus killing the dragon.

Dragon of Derbyshire

This fierce dragon was said to frighten the people who lived near Winlatter Rock in Derbyshire. Many people believed the Devil had taken dragon form. A monk took a stance before the beast and firmly planted his feet onto the rock. He stuck his arms straight out, making his body into the form of a cross, and began to concentrate on destroying the beast. Legend says that the monk thought so hard that his feet sank into the rock, and that the holes from his feet are still embedded there. In the meantime, the villagers gathered and, along with the effort of a priest, were able to chase off the dragon. It retreated into Blue John Mine, and because of this, the Derbyshire springs have tasted sulphurous and warm ever since.

Dragon Hill

This is the place where it is said that St. George battled the dragon that threatened Berkshire, England. The battle was furious, and the dragon was lethal. In fact, it was so deadly that even today Dragon Hill can not grow anything on it, and is unfruitful largely due to the poisonous blood the dragon shed upon it's death. In some versions, it is said that the patron saint of England died a horrible death, due to the poison.

Dragon of Castle Gwys

This dragon was said to live in a hole not far from the estate. It had so many eyes that it was unfeasible to count them, and it was therefore thought to be impossible for a person to see it without being seen by the dragon. There were several descendants claiming the land, so it was decided that a test would be embarked on during which the claimant would try to see the dragon without it's seeing him/her. Many tried and failed, but one of the cleverest descendants came up with a workable plan. First, he waited until everyone else had tried and failed, which did not take long. Then he took a barrel up to the top of the hill and got in it. He set the barrel rolling past the dragon, and as he rolled past, he peeked out of the hole in the top. That way, he saw the dragon, but was unseen. Thus did the Wiston family gain the estate of the Wogan family.

Lambton Dragon

Found in Durnham England, it began as a small eel-like creature, eventually growing into a huge dragon. It was without legs, could not breathe fire, and didn't even have wings. However, it did however have horrible fangs dripping with venom. It was first found by a young man named John Lambton, but he threw it into a well where it was forgotten for years. John eventually grew up and went on Crusades. While he was gone, the Lambton Worm escaped it's tiny home and immediately began to eat everything nearby. Many attempts were made to kill the beast, but all failed. The townspeople even tried to slice the beast in half, but it simply grew back together. The townsfolk finally tried something they had heard about in other legends, appeasing (and knocking out) the beast with milk. A trough was filled, and after the Lambton Worm drank the milk, it sleepily went back to it's lair in the hills. This was when the young John Lambton came back and realized what he had unleashed. He asked a local witch for help in killing the monster. She told him that he had to have special armor, but for that information, he would have to kill the next living thing he saw after killing the beast. John agreed, and had a blacksmith make him the needed armor. He was successful in killing the beast, and went home. To his great dismay, however, the next living thing he saw was his father. He refused to honor his agreement to the witch, and his family was cursed, a curse that is said to still affect the family even today.

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