Old Ned

The Story of Old Ned
The Raven King of Montol

At Market House, that big domed building in the heart of Penzance, there are four clock faces.
The Northern Face is the last remaining original face and is black, unlike the others which are white.
For many years Old Ned resided within the workings of the Northern clock.
His only company was the occasional visit from a pair of rooks who would wander around Penzance gathering food for Old Ned and pretty, shiny things for his nest.

The Herald
Photo: Greg Martin

Old Ned was haunted through the winter by the sound of a chiming bell.
The sound sent shivers to his very core, for it was the death knell of winter, sounded by a shadowy figure prowling the streets below.
He was paralysed by the fear that should he leave his unlikely fortress he would succumb to the Herald of Winter sounding his bell!

On a dark and cold winter’s night he heard the most wonderful music coming from the Green Market. So jolly was the sound, Old Ned couldn’t hear that bell of winter as its chiming increased towards the solstice.

The old raven loved to dance and he hadn’t danced in years so he quickly fluttered down to see what all the fuss was about.
He saw a huge gathering of people, all in peculiar clothes and masks, some dancing, some playing merry music from days long past.
At the heart of the crowd, a giant sun was carried, glowing and gleaming in the lamplight.

Old Ned began to dance, with all the music and excitement he couldn’t help himself!
But with all the years he had hidden himself away behind the clock face he had forgotten how to dance and began swaying and stumbling all over the place. Those up close shrieked in horror while those at a safe distance laughed at the clumsy old raven.

Just as Old Ned was about to admit defeat and fly back to his nest, a beautiful woman emerged from the crowd, her head adorned with ivy, holly and mistletoe.
She curtseyed gracefully to the Raven King and began to dance about him.

Just as Old Ned was about to admit defeat and fly back to his nest, a beautiful woman emerged from the crowd, her head adorned with ivy, holly and mistletoe. She curtseyed gracefully to the Raven King and began to dance about him. Slowly, Old Ned began to follow her, copying her steps, as elegant as any bird on the ground could be.

sun-parade
Photo: Ian Mayou

The woman led him to the front of the crowd and together they began their procession up to Lescudjack Castle, followed by the musicians, the dancers and the sun, all in joyous admiration of Old Ned and his Montol Queen.


They were followed, with great solemnity, by the Herald of Winter sounding his devilish bell.

When they reached the clearing where the bonfire was set, Old Ned could barely contain himself.
The flames were lit and the Sun set atop, and not even the winds of winter could dampen his joy.

old ned dancing
Photo: Ian Mayou

The bell of winter rang one last time and Old Ned danced and danced, renewed with the energy of the reborn sun, somehow losing himself in the mists of the Montol madness until his physical self had disappeared entirely.


No one, not even his queen, knows where he goes then in his moment of pure ecstasy.


One thing is for certain, however. He will return to Montol year after year, to lead the sun to its place of burning and once again silence the deathly bell of winter.