This is another tale about Queen Mab, though it is set in Hartburn this time (in Northumberland, Eng

This is another tale about Queen Mab, though it is set in Hartburn this time (in Northumberland, England) not Old Fawdon Hill. It is the story of a miller who would leave offerings to the fairies, and one day as he stilled his water mill he was lucky enough to not only hear the gentle tinkle of bells as they arrived, but also to see their procession.

The miller already knew the fairies came to visit his mill, he had left them gifts and offerings in the past, and he already knew they came to his mill from over the Elf Hills (which is a real place in Northumberland, near a place called Cambo). Not surprisingly he was very proud of this, and his mill prospered and thrived. One day, however, he heard people mocking him and criticising him for spending so much money leaving offerings. His pride was badly hurt, and he wondered if the fairies were simply taking advantage of him.

He grew angry, and one night when Queen Mab and her fairies were in the mill he climbed on the roof and through things down the chimney at them, scalding and burning several of them. Needless to say he incurred the wrath of the fairies, and immediately felt a sharp pain in his side. The fairies disappeared, never to return again (though they do say the fairies are planning to one day), and the miller, so they say, lost his heart. Eventually the mill closed down and was left in a sorry state. As for the fairies, it’s said they moved on to Dancing Hall in Lorbottle, near Rothbury.

[Sources: ‘The Fairy Queen and her Lambs’ by Warwick Goble,Northumberland Folk Tales by Malcolm Green]