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Skulls, Swords & Cursed Chairs
If the Warehouse 13 agents are apt at their jobs, it is safe to assume that the paranormal storage facility will contain a number of items from Britain. For over a thousand years, relics and artefacts have featured in our myths and legends, some giving their user immense power, some cursing whoever toys with them, and others are, well, just a little redundant in the 21 century.
The UK can proudly boast a large number of cursed items. A chest at Cornwall's Stanbury Manor is said to contain an evil spirit with telekinetic power, which moves nearby furniture. Prior to being delivered at the manor, two elderly women who owned the chest were struck deaf when they first opened it. Other furnishings are also cursed. The Great Bed, designed in the 1460s for English Monarchs, is housed at the Victoria & Albert Museum and contains the spirit of its creator Jonas Fosbrooke. Fosbrooke is said to attack anyone who tries to sleep in the bed that does not possess royal blood, unless a toast is drunk to him before lights out. One execration legend has it that a child who sleeps in a particular four poster bed at the castle on St Michael's Mount will never awaken, while the Oast House pub in Southport declared one of their chairs cursed after eight people who perched on it died. The Venerable Bede's Chair, at St Paul's Church, Jarrow, has the opposite effect; any newlywed bride sitting on his chair will soon fall pregnant. Overall, flat pack furniture has never looked so tempting.
Paranormal skulls are abundant. One of the famed crystal skulls resides at the British Museum, and although once thought to be Aztec in origin, tests have revealed the item to have been made with nineteenth century tools. The same story holds true for other crystal skulls scattered around the globe, though many people still maintain they have mythical power. But who requires crystal when bone can be just as magically powerful? A pair of skulls belonging to a married farming couple who were executed for a crime they did not commit returned to Calgarth Hall to haunt the man who framed them. The man threw the craniums away, buried them, cast them into deep water, and smashed them into tiny fragments, but the following day the skulls would return intact, and he lived with them until his own death. During the 1970s, Ripley's Odditorium in Blackpool displayed the skull of a local girl. Several people reported seeing a female spectre standing by the remains, and the owner of the skull became convinced that the item was cursed. He may have been right, for he died a week after giving the skull away.
Arthurian legend provides a veritable hoard of Warehouse 13 potential. Excalibur, also known as Caledfwlch, may be the most distinguished article; the sword wielded by King Arthur was reputed to possess magical power, and could burst into flame or generate lightning. As Arthur lay dying, he requested Excalibur be return to the Lady of the Lake. Several places claim to be this site, including Dozmary Pool at Bodmin Moor (Cornwall), Poole Harbour, and Broomlee Lough in Northumberland.
Ynys Enlli, aka Bardsey Island, is a contender for being the resting place of Arthur. It was also said to be home to Merlin's glass tower (perhaps a precursor for Warehouse 13?), in which he stored the Thirteen Treasures of Britain:
1) Dyrnwyn - the sword's blade would burst into flame when wielded by royalty,
2) The Hamper of Gwyddno Garanhir - the hamper would multiply its contents by five-score,
3) The Horn of Bran - this drinking beaker would provide whatever the user wanted to whet their lips,
4) The Chariot of Morgan the Wealthy - extremely fast magical travel,
5) The Halter of Clyno Eiddyn - any horse dreamt of would appear haltered in the morning,
6) The Knife of Llawfronedd the Horseman - would carve the meat at a meal for twenty four men,
7) The Cauldron of Diwrnach - would only boil water for a brave man,
8) The Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd - when used to sharpen the sword of a hero, any strike made by the weapon would be fatal,
9) The Coat of Padarn Redcoat - would only fit anyone of noble blood,
10) The Crock of Rhygenydd - would serve any food the user wanted,
11) The Dish of Rhygenydd - would serve any food the user desired,
12) The Chessboard of Gwenddolau - would play itself once set up, &
13) The Mantle of Arthur - would make the wearer invisible, and provide acute visual awareness.
No Arthurian list would be complete without a mention of the Holy Grail. This implement was used by Christ at the last supper, used by Joseph to catch Christ's blood, and finally brought to Britain by Joseph for safe keeping. Various authors through the centuries have attributed powers to the Grail, including its ability to heal the sick and mortally wounded, to give the bearer immortality, and to feed the hungry. To prevent the Grail from falling into the wrong hands, it would only manifest in the presence of those deemed worthy. As with Excalibur, the final resting place is rumoured to be at several different locations, including Glastonbury and Castell Dinas Bran.
Our final find is the Fairy Flag, or Am Bratach Sith, of the MacLeods. It was gifted to the MacLeod clan by a fairy that became mortal to marry into the family. The flag is said to have magical properties, but it can only be used three times before vanishing from the mortal realm. One folktale says that the flag increases the size of a MacLeod army ten-fold (and was used for this purpose to ensure victory during a battle with the MacDonalds), while another says it can cure disease and bring someone back from the brink of death. The flag is widely believed to have been used a second time, though for what no one can agree on, which means the flag has one more use... Anyone require a plot device?
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Good article. Warehouse 13 is a quirky series which seems to have potential. I did not realise there were so many artifacts purported to have powers. I am sure the writers will have no problem getting new material for a second season. I look forward to your next article.