Two Cumberland Ballads

Two narrative ballads, based on local lore, by the Cumberland poet John Stagg. In 'The Hermit of Rockcliffe', a young fugitive takes refuge with a hermit, hears a bizarre and cautionary tale of what might befall a lusty young man at a masked ball, and learns surprising news about himself. In 'The Rose of Corby' a young maid's elopement with her lover, on the day of her betrothal to a local lord, has an unexpected outcome. (Summary by Phil Benson)