The Blackmore country . bing it a rough rudeplace at the end of Exmoor), Northmoltonis an inconsiderable village—that is, as regardssize and population ; very pretty, however, andromantic. Despite its comparative unimportancesome of the inhabitants of the larger Moltoncherish respect for its smaller neighbour asthe seat of ancient tradition. I remember talkingto a tonsorial artist — one does not speak of barbers nowadays—and a native of South-molton, who referred with bated breath to theCourt Leet and Baron held in the sister parish, andthe strange customs connected with such tribunals;and he
The Blackmore country . bing it a rough rudeplace at the end of Exmoor), Northmoltonis an inconsiderable village—that is, as regardssize and population ; very pretty, however, andromantic. Despite its comparative unimportancesome of the inhabitants of the larger Moltoncherish respect for its smaller neighbour asthe seat of ancient tradition. I remember talkingto a tonsorial artist — one does not speak of barbers nowadays—and a native of South-molton, who referred with bated breath to theCourt Leet and Baron held in the sister parish, andthe strange customs connected with such tribunals;and he evidently considered the Southmolton TownCouncil a mere mushroom institution of scantinterest compared with the feudal juries. Idetermined to look into the matter. There are two routes between South- andNorthmolton—one the present highway along 1 These worthies are coupled by Blackmore in the Maidof Sker (chapter lxviii.). Since Tom Faggus died, therehas not been such a man to be found, nowhere round THE FORGE OF FAGGUS 217 the richly wooded valley of the Mole ; the other,doubtless more ancient, over the hill to the right,from the summit of which is obtained anexcellent view of the village situated on theopposite ridge. Northmolton is known far and wide as thebirthplace of the renowned Tom Faggus, whofrom being a smith turned highwayman. It isonly a few years ago since the forge at which heis supposed to have toiled was pulled down. Itstood at the bottom of the square, next to andfacing the Poltimore Arms ; and picturepost-cards, showing what it was like, are on salein the village. Just as I presented the readerwith the pre-Blackmorian legend of the Doones,drawn from Mr Coopers Lynton, so I reproducefrom the same source the legend of Tom Fagfcrus,as it existed before the publication of theromance. Faggus and his Strawberry Horse. Faggus was a native of Northmolton, andby trade a blacksmith, but being engaged in alawsuit with Sir Richard Bampfylde, he wasrui
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