In some places, however, a mound similar to
those often connected with fairies is associated with a giant, as is the
case at Sessay parish, near Thirsk,[A] and at Fyfield in Wiltshire. The
chambered tumulus at Luckington is spoken of as the Giant's Caves, and
that at Nempnet in Somersetshire as the Fairy's Toot. In Denmark, tumuli
seem to be described indifferently as Zettestuer (Giants' Chambers) or
Troldestuer (Fairies' Chambers).[B] In "Beowulf" a chambered tumulus is
described, in the recesses of which were treasures watched over for three
hundred years by a dragon. This barrow was of stone, and the work of
giants.
Seah on enta geweorc, Looked on the giant's work,
hu etha stan-bogan, how the stone arches,
stapulinn-faeste, on pillars fast,
ece eoreth-reced the eternal earth-house
innan healde. held within.
[Footnote A: _Folk Lore_, i. 130.]
[Footnote B: _Flint Chips_, p. 412.]
The mounds have sometimes been made by giants and afterwards inhabited by
dwarfs, as in the case of the Nine-hills, already alluded to.
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