The History of England’s Mysterious Mermaids
England’s coasts have long teased the curious with tales of sea maidens. From weathered sailors to village children, many have claimed to spot these mysterious mermaids. Some stories are only a few lines, while others are woven deeply into local customs.
England’s relationship with mermaids has shaped art, storytelling, and even scientific debate. Here’s how mermaids found their way into English history, legend, and the public mind.
Also often talked about in Ireland and Scotland especially, there are many tales of people having seen mermaids in English waters. The word comes from ‘mere’ which is Olde English for the word ‘sea’.
The Beginnings of a Coastal Legend
Mermaids are often talked about as protecting people in the sea, but other stories go of luring besotted sailors to their watery graves. Some mermaids are said to live as seals in the water, then transform into humans while on land.
Some shape-shifting mermaids even marry people on the land, but usually go back to sea and leave loved ones behind, because they cannot leave the ocean.
One of the places for stories of mermaids is the maritime city of Liverpool. Many local ships are named after mermaids, and Paradise Street is where you’ll find stories from old sailors. Even the shield on the city’s Liver Bird coat of arms, features merfolk.
There are stories of a mermaid in the 19th century who would ring a sunken church bell at dawn, on Easter Sunday. Believed to tell this mostly Catholic city to take better care of their souls!
The Science Behind Mermaid Sightings
For centuries, people truly believed mermaids were real. Today, scientists point to sea animals like manatees, dugongs, or seals for possible explanations. The conditions at sea (rough waves, poor light, tired eyes) might turn a bobbing seal into a mermaid sighting.
Sailors, after months at sea without women, sometimes mistook animal forms for these sea maidens. Alcohol, stress, and isolation all shaped their stories. The scientific view doesn’t take away the magic but helps us see how stories begin.
The Mermaid of Zennor: Cornwall
One of England’s best-known mermaid legends belongs to the Cornish village of Zennor. According to the tale, a strange woman started attending church. Her beauty stunned the locals, and she never aged. She captured the heart of a young man named Matthew Trewhella.
One day, both vanished. People later claimed she was a mermaid and Matthew had followed her into the sea. Zennor Church still has a 15th-century carving on an old bench: a woman with a fish tail, “The Mermaid Chair.” Visitors come from around the world to see it.
The Mermaid of Wexford: The Irish Link
England shares many stories and customs with Ireland, including tales of mermaids. The Mermaid of Wexford crossing over from English folklore tells of a mermaid washed ashore. Unlike many stories, she was captured alive. The townsfolk wanted to keep her, but she mourned for the sea.
Moved by her sadness, the people let her go, and she slipped beneath the waves, never to return. Stories like this show the deep ties between sea legends in England and nearby Ireland, proving how these tales travel across the water.
The Tale of Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
Cornwall, with its jagged cliffs and hidden coves, became a rich ground for mermaid stories. Mawgan Porth reported sightings back in 1827. A boy intending to fish at night reported seeing a creature that looked like a long-haired human, with fish-like fins on their lower half (blue in colour).
Sceptics often say people mistake mermaids for seals. But regular fisherman likely knew what seals looked like. What do you think?
Modern Sightings and Reports
Even today, whispers of mermaid sightings pop up from time to time. Modern witnesses describe similar encounters: a glimpse of a tail or a fleeting figure disappearing into the waves. Though no concrete evidence supports these claims, the stories persist.
Could these tales be shaped by nostalgic echoes of past folklore, or is something more gratifying about keeping the mystery alive?
Explanations for Mermaid Sightings
Often, the simplest explanation lies with nature itself. Abroad, manatees and dugongs share curious similarities with humans, especially when glimpsed from afar. Sailors, weary from long voyages, might easily mistake these creatures for mermaids, giving rise to enduring myths.
Beyond biology, psychology also plays a role. Our minds can be tricksy, especially under the influence of group psychology, folklore beliefs, and suggestion.
A single mention of mermaids can set imaginations soaring, leading to “sightings” that are more fantasy than fact. It’s a classic case of seeing what we wish to see.
