Ippikin, Ippikin: An Outlaw Entombed

In the shadows of Wenlock Edge's steep limestone cliffs, just over 30 minutes from Shrewsbury by car, you might stumble upon a dark crevice known as Ippikin’s Rock.

According to local legend, sometime around the 13th century, a rogue knight named Sir Ippikin made this place his lair. Once a man of honour, he is said to turned outlaw, leading a band of ruthless brigands who robbed travellers and merchants and terrorised local villagers along the ancient ridgeway.

Ippikin and his band hid their stolen treasures deep within a cave, thinking the darkness of Wenlock Edge would guard their hoard forever. Nobody knows how long they continued to build this hoard – a decade, more? Some Ippikin stalked the roads for centuries, possessing the magical ability to renew his youth every 70 years!

But even the most fearsome bandit is no match for Mother Nature.

One night, as Sir Ippikin and his men celebrated another bloody raid, the cliff gave way with a mighty roar. The cave mouth collapsed, sealing the bandits inside — and no matter how they begged, scratched, clawed or dug, there they would remain, entombed with their ill-gotten gold for all eternity.

Neither the men, nor the treasure, were never seen again.

But it might be that Ippikin is not quite gone. Look closely, and you'll see an imprint of the stolen gold chain he wore in life remains visible in the rock.

And if you stand at the mouth of the cave and call his name — "Ippikin! Ippikin! Keep away with your long chin!" — local legend has it that his ghost will rise, furious, and push the fool who dared disturb his rest over the cliff edge to their death.

So if you're walking Wenlock Edge as dusk creeps in and the wind turns cold, best keep your voice low. Ippikin sleeps nearby — and he'd prefer not to be woken.

(Image shows the village of Eaton, with Wenlock Edge behind. Courtesy of D P A Jones, licensed under CC)