Jay's Grave
Encyclopedia
Jay's Grave is supposedly the last resting place of a suicide victim who is thought to have died in the late 18th century. It has become a well-known landmark on Dartmoor
, Devon
, in South-West England, and is the subject of local folklore
, and several ghost stories.
The small burial mound is at the side of a minor road, about 1 mile (1.6 km) north west of Hound Tor
, at the entrance to a green lane
that leads to Natsworthy. Fresh flowers are regularly placed on the grave, although no-one admits to putting them there.
. As a teenager, she was apparently rape
d by a young farmhand and became pregnant. Such was her shame that Kitty Jay hanged herself in a barn, or, according to a different version of the story, from the great kitchen fireplace lintel.
The three local parishes of Widecombe-in-the-Moor
, North Bovey and Manaton all refused to bury her body within consecrated ground, so she was buried at a crossroads - a traditional practice for suicide victims at the time. This also happened to be the point at which the three parishes joined. Her remains were discovered in 1860, placed in a coffin and reburied.
There are always fresh flowers on the grave, the placement of which is the subject of local folklore - some claim they are placed there by pixie
s, but it is known that the author Beatrice Chase
was one person who did this, before her death in 1955. Motorists, passing at night, claim to have glimpsed ghostly figures in their headlights, others report seeing a dark, hooded figure kneeling there.
's short story The Apple Tree, written in 1916. In the 1970s, knowledge of the legend prompted Martin Turner
of British rock band Wishbone Ash
to write the lyrics to a song called "Lady Jay" which appears on the band's 1974 album There's the Rub
. It also inspired Seth Lakeman
to write his 2004 song and album, both called Kitty Jay. A novel by Celia Ann Leaman called Mary's Child is also inspired by the legend.
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, in South-West England, and is the subject of local folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
, and several ghost stories.
The small burial mound is at the side of a minor road, about 1 mile (1.6 km) north west of Hound Tor
Hound Tor
Hound Tor is a tor on Dartmoor, Devon, England and is a good example of a heavily weathered granite outcrop. It is easily accessible, situated within a few minutes from the B3387 between Bovey Tracey and Widecombe-in-the-Moor...
, at the entrance to a green lane
Green lane
A green lane is a type of road, usually an unpaved rural route.-England and Wales:In particular, a green lane is unsurfaced, and may be so infrequently used that there is no wearing of the surface, allowing vegetation to colonise freely, hence 'green'...
that leads to Natsworthy. Fresh flowers are regularly placed on the grave, although no-one admits to putting them there.
The legend
The grave is believed to contain the bones of an orphan called Kitty Jay (some reports name her as Mary Jay), who worked at Canna Farm near the village of ManatonManaton
The village of Manaton is situated on the south-eastern side of Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England.The 15th century church, in a prominent spot to the north of the village green, is dedicated to St Winifred. Three of the six bells in its tower are medieval - markings on the oldest indicate a...
. As a teenager, she was apparently rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
d by a young farmhand and became pregnant. Such was her shame that Kitty Jay hanged herself in a barn, or, according to a different version of the story, from the great kitchen fireplace lintel.
The three local parishes of Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe-in-the-Moor is a small village located within the heart of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England. . The name is thought to derive from 'Withy-combe' which means Willow Valley....
, North Bovey and Manaton all refused to bury her body within consecrated ground, so she was buried at a crossroads - a traditional practice for suicide victims at the time. This also happened to be the point at which the three parishes joined. Her remains were discovered in 1860, placed in a coffin and reburied.
There are always fresh flowers on the grave, the placement of which is the subject of local folklore - some claim they are placed there by pixie
Pixie
Pixies are mythical creatures of folklore, considered to be particularly concentrated in the areas around Devon and Cornwall, suggesting some Celtic origin for the belief and name.They are usually depicted with pointed ears, and often wearing a green outfit and pointed...
s, but it is known that the author Beatrice Chase
Beatrice Chase
Beatrice Chase was the pen name for a British writer, who became well known for her Dartmoor-based novels during the first half of the 20th century...
was one person who did this, before her death in 1955. Motorists, passing at night, claim to have glimpsed ghostly figures in their headlights, others report seeing a dark, hooded figure kneeling there.
Modern uses of the story
Jay's Grave was the inspiration for John GalsworthyJohn Galsworthy
John Galsworthy OM was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter...
's short story The Apple Tree, written in 1916. In the 1970s, knowledge of the legend prompted Martin Turner
Martin Turner
Martin Turner is the bass guitarist, lead vocalist and a founding member of the rock band, Wishbone Ash.-Career:...
of British rock band Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
to write the lyrics to a song called "Lady Jay" which appears on the band's 1974 album There's the Rub
There's the Rub
There's the Rub is the fifth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album to feature guitarist/vocalist Laurie Wisefield, who would be a major part of the band's creative direction for the next 11 years....
. It also inspired Seth Lakeman
Seth Lakeman
Seth Bernard Lakeman is an English folk singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, who is most often associated with the fiddle and tenor guitar, but has also mastered the viola and banjo...
to write his 2004 song and album, both called Kitty Jay. A novel by Celia Ann Leaman called Mary's Child is also inspired by the legend.