One side project I’ve been meaning to return to for quite some time is a retelling of the Claife Crier legend set within the world of The Mereland Chronicles.
You can now read it here
The Claife Crier – Retold
The Claife Crier, sometimes known as The Crier of Claife, is one of the lesser-known stories of Lake District folklore. According to local tradition, the spirit of a heartbroken monk can sometimes be heard crying out from Claife Heights across Windermere.
The earliest known published version of the legend appeared in the Kendal Mercury on 25 December 1852, before later being recorded by Harriet Martineau in A Complete Guide to the English Lakes (1855). Over time, the tale became part of Cumbria’s rich heritage of ghost stories and local legends.
This reimagined tale, based on The Mereland Chronicles canon, was originally intended to appear within The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier. However, as the novel evolved, it ultimately didn’t make the final cut. Rather than leave it buried in my drafts folder, I always intended to dust it off one day and share it with readers.
This version is not simply a retelling of the traditional Crier of Claife tale. Instead, it reimagines the legend through the lens of The Mereland Chronicles, expanding on the mystery surrounding Claife Heights and the events that echo through the novel.
Readers of The Mereland Chronicles may notice a few familiar references and hidden Easter eggs scattered throughout the story. More importantly, it offers a glimpse into how the legend has changed over time, presenting a perspective from roughly one hundred years after the events involving Henry and Hannah.
For those who have already read the novel, I hope it adds another layer to the wider mystery. For new readers, it serves as a standalone introduction to the legend that helped inspire the world of The Mereland Chronicles.
There is also something special on the horizon. Later this week, I’ll be revealing a surprise for fans of The Mereland Chronicles, so stay tuned.
-Scrib.
Paul J. Scribbans - Author 