Assipattle & the Mester Stoorworm

A Tale From Scotland, specifically Westbrough, Sanday Island in Orkney

 

    In far bygone days, a farmer in northern Scotland had seven sons, the youngest of which was named Assipattle. A lazy boy who sat by the ash-heap telling grand stories of giants, elves, and trolls while his father and brothers worked hard on the farm. One day a fisherman brought terrible news of the Mester Stoorworm, the largest and mightiest of all the sea serpents, swimming towards the mainland. The King gathered his council and for three whole days, they worried over what to do until the Queen strode in and said, "You are no match for the great beast who threatens our land. It is through sorcery not brawn that our foe shall begone." 

    And though the elders feared the sorcerer, without any idea of how to defeat the Mester Stoorworm, the dreaded man was summoned to the council chambers. The dark sorcerer deemed that the only way to satisfy the monster was to sacrifice seven bonnie lassies each Saturday and then the Mester Stoorworm would depart. There was one other option, but it was far too dreadful and horrible to mention. And with heavy hearts, it was decreed that the maidens be typed up by the sea. The kingdom gathered and watched as the sea serpent ate the poor offerings. Assipattle cried, "Is there no one who would fight the Mester Stoorworm and save the lassies? I could do it. I'm not afraid." 

    His eldest brother laughed, "You fight the Stoorworm?! A likely story! Go home to your ash-pit and stop speaking nonsense." And two weeks passed without a sign of the giant sea serpent leaving, so the council of elders gathered once more to hear what the sorcerer had to say. It was indeed a dreadful and horrible plan for the King's only daughter Gemdelovely would need to be sacrificed to the Mester Stoorworm. The King, in an effort to save his beloved daughter, declared that whoever slayed the monster would win his daughter's hand in marriage and the King's magic sword Sickersnapper, that once belonged to the god Odin. 

    Many young lads came from far and wide to claim such a grand prize, but upon sight of the Mester Stoorworm, none dared to fight. And so, the night before the princess was to be sacrificed, the old King pulled out his sword Sickersnapper and planned to fight the monster himself. Meanwhile, back on the farm, Assipattle waited for his family to go to sleep. Then, he stole his father's prize horse named Go-Swift. With a whistle through his father's goose thrapple, Go-Swift ran as fast as the wind. By Dawn, Assipattle reached the sea. 

    He watched the Mester Stoorworm, and noticed that when it yawns, water rushes down its throat. Assipattle walked to a nearby cottage. He grabbed an iron pot from the kitchen, and stole a glowing peat from the fire. Back at the water's edge, Assipattle found the kings boat guarded by one man. He started to collect muscles explaining to the boatman that he was gathering breakfast. Digging a hole to create a fire to roast the muscles, Assipattle exclaimed, "Gold! Who would have thought to look for gold here?!" The boatman rushed over pushing Assipattle away while digging for the gold. 

    Assipattle then jumped on the King's boat with his pot, sailing into the Mester Stoorworm's mouth and down its throat. He found the great sea serpent's liver and dug a whole in which to place the hot peat. The Mester Stoorworm heaved spitting out Assipattle and the boat. The monster thrashed to-and-fro, writhing in pain. Its body slammed down making dents through which the sea flowed creating the straits between Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Its large teeth fell out as it continued to toss about forming the Orkney and Shetland Isles. Then with one last heave, the Mester Stoorworm fell down dead. Its body became Iceland with the glowing peat still burning inside causing the mountains to through out fire. 

    The King proclaimed Assipattle his son with great joy for his daughter, declaring that they were to be married. As they rode to castle, a servant ran out with disturbing news. The cruel Queen and the wicked sorcerer had been making love in the King's bed all morning. Then, they fled together across the land. Assipattle jumped on Go-Swift racing to catch the fugitives. Drawing his new sword Sickersnapper, Assipattle caught up and called for them to stop. The sorcerer's magic was powerless against the blessed weapon, and with one thrust from Assipattle, the sorcerer fell dead. 

    He brought the Queen before the council where she was judged and condemned to be shut up in the high tower of the castle for the rest of her miserable life. Assipattle married Gemdelovely and there was great feasting and rejoicing all through the kingdom. When the old King later died, Assipattle and Gemdelovely ruled the land as king and queen for many joyful years. And if not dead, they are yet alive. 

With love, 

Autumn Rose Surratt 

The Ancestor Witch 

      

Sources 

• "Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment From Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales", Chronicle Books (2016), illustrated by Kate Forrester, ISBN 978-1-4521-5175-5, pages 53-64. 
• "The Lore of Scotland: A Guide to Scottish Legends", Penguin Books (2009), by Jennifer Westwood and Sophia Kingshill, ISBN 9780099547167, pages 415-417. 
• "Scottish Folk & Fairy Tales", Flame Tree (2023), edited by J.K. Jackson, ISBN 978-1-80417-534-7, pages 318-327.