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Trolls under bridges

To: rec.arts.sf.written,alt.folklore
From: Robin Aldersey-Taylor 
Subject: Re: Trolls under bridges
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 15:37:20 +0000

Jerry Friedman wrote:

> I don't quite know where to post this, so I hope rec.arts.sf.written and
> alt.folklore are okay.
>
> What's the connection between folkloric trolls and bridges?  People on
> Usenet often say that trolls are found under bridges.  But the trolls
> I've read about (Tolkien, Poul Anderson, an occasional brush with Norse
> sagas in translation) aren't seen within sight of bridges.
>
> Could there be any truth to my vague impression that this started as a
> pun on "toll bridge", perhaps by a contemporary fantasy writer, perhaps
> Terry Pratchett?

I was just passing through, and this caught my eye.

Folklore doesn't start with fairy tales: fairy tales start with folklore.

Trolls have been thought to live under bridges for hundreds of years, both
in England (less so) and particularly in Scandinavia, where the heritage of
trolls is much stronger.

Interestingly enough, if you were to study demonology, particularly that
relating to out-dwelling demons, they do indeed live in all sorts of strange
cubby-holes and places, one of which is under bridges. It's something to do
with the cover from above, the proximity of running water and the passage of
people to prey on.

Most folklore is based on experience if you go back far enough as I'm sure
you are all aware. I was well tickled by the true story of a missionary
working in a college in Africa, who was much taken with the grotesque
African tribal masks you get carved in wood, and had a selection on his
walls. One night a young girl was brought to him in a desperate state having
been attacked by something evidently supernatural in the forest. When asked
to describe it, she instantly pointed at one of his prized mask collection
and said: "That one."

He had to burn them all.

Cheers

Robin
England

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