Lewis Carroll's nonsense poem 'Jabberwocky' may be based on the County Durham legend of the Sockburn Worm. This foul-smelling, poisonous dragon, who lived on an isolated peninsula in the River Tees, was beheaded by a local noble. Jabberwocky describes how "The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head, He went galumphing back." Carroll's father was the rector of the nearby village of Croft. In the village church is a carving said to have inspired the Cheshire Cat. #WyrdWednesday #folklore #literature #weird #mythology #gothic #history #poetry #poems #poets #churches