Three Dreams, Three Legends : The Pedlar, The Kist, and Donald Din

Welcome to Myth, Mystery, Lore and History – the podcast where ancient legends and timeless tales come to life. New episodes will be out every week, so be sure to subscribe now and uncover the legends behind the lore.

 

In this episode, I’m searching out one of the most enduring folk tales in British storytelling: The Pedlar of Swaffham — a story with roots reaching all the way back to 9th-century Mesopotamia. This is a tale that’s crossed continents, evolved through centuries, and continues to spark the imagination.

 

I’ll be exploring three powerful versions of this ancient narrative, each with its own local flavour and cultural twist:

 

• The Pedlar of Swaffham from Norfolk
• The Kist of Upsall Castle from Yorkshire
• And Donald Din and the Castle in the Kail Yard from Scotland

 

 

Each story begins the same way — with three dreamers, each dreaming three times of hidden treasure… and setting out on a journey to discover the truth behind their visions.

After examining their similarities and differences, I’ll also share some Scottish folklore around rhyming riddles and buried treasure — part of the oral tradition that keeps these stories alive.