Unusually, for an area so rich in folklore, there are very few tales of the Devil himself linked with the Gower peninsula. Indeed, only one can so far be traced to the area, and it is unsure whether this story was originally believed to have occurred in Gower itself or whether it was just a popular story amongst locals of yesteryear.
The tale concerns a blacksmith who was forging a chain for a Master Marina that would be strong enough to hold a "ship, giant or devil". The Devil, intrigued that the blacksmith held himself capable of forging a chain able of withholding him, paid the workman a visit - introducing himself as Nicholas.
"Of course I can", the blacksmith answered the Devil when questioned as to whether he was capable of such a feat. Laughing at the blacksmith's audacity the Devil made arrangements to put the chain to the test when it was completed. The following week the chain was ready and, as promised, the Devil arrived to put it through its paces.
"Wrap the chain around you whilst my three apprentices and I take up the other end", the blacksmith told the Devil.
"And you think that just four men are enough to counter my strength? " The Devil grinned.
"We are strong enough", the blacksmith replied curtly.
"So be it then." The Devil laughed and took up the chain. Still laughing at the blacksmith's audacity, the tug began.
Despite all their efforts, the four men were no physical match for the Devil, who pulled them easily from the forge. The Devil, now hysterical with laughter, paid little attention to his surroundings - so filled was he with glee. When the blacksmith and his apprentice finally gave up the tug-of-war and released their end of the chain the Devil fell backwards-and down a deep well. The water in the well boiled and hissed as the Devil splashed into its depths and the blacksmith never saw or heard of the Devil again.
The Devil and the Chain
