European FolkloreMermaid Tales

The Mermaid of Zennor

A beautiful mermaid lures a talented singer from a Cornish village to her home beneath the waves.

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Illustration for The Mermaid of Zennor - a mermaid tales European Folklore story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Discover the haunting legend of The Mermaid of Zennor, a Cornish tale of a mysterious lady and a singer who vanished beneath the waves of Pendour Cove forever.

In the coastal village of Zennor, Cornwall, a mysterious and beautiful woman dressed in fine silks occasionally attended the local church. Her voice was ethereal, yet she never joined in the prayers, only listening intently to Mathey Trewhella, the parish's finest singer. For years she appeared and vanished, never aging, until one afternoon Mathey followed her out of the church toward the cliffs of Pendour Cove. Neither was ever seen again by the villagers. Years later, a ship captain anchored near the cove was hailed by a mermaid with long golden hair. She politely asked the captain to raise his anchor, explaining it was blocking the door to her home where her husband, Mathey, and their children waited. To this day, a medieval woodcarving of the mermaid remains in Zennor Church, a silent testament to the man who chose the sea over the shore.

The Moral

Love can transcend the boundaries of different worlds, but such a union often requires leaving one's past behind forever.

“He followed the song of the sea, and the land knew him no more.”

Fun Fact

The 'Mermaid Chair' in Zennor Church is over 600 years old and is one of the few surviving pieces of medieval woodwork in the region, believed to have been carved to commemorate the legend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of The Mermaid of Zennor?

The story suggests that love is a powerful force that can bridge different worlds. However, it also serves as a reminder that choosing a new path often requires a permanent sacrifice of one's old life.

Is The Mermaid of Zennor based on a true story?

While the mermaid is a myth, the village of Zennor is a real place in Cornwall. The legend is anchored by the 'Mermaid Chair,' a real 15th-century woodcarving that still exists in the local church.

Where did the Mermaid of Zennor take Mathey Trewhella?

According to the legend, she lured him to Pendour Cove. From there, they descended into the ocean to live together in her underwater kingdom beneath the waves.

Can you still see the mermaid carving in Zennor today?

Yes, the 500-year-old woodcarving is located on a bench end in the Church of Saint Senara in Zennor. It depicts a mermaid with a mirror and a comb, just as described in the tales.

How did the villagers know the woman was a mermaid?

Her true nature was confirmed years later when a ship captain encountered her in the sea. She asked him to move his anchor, identifying Mathey Trewhella as her husband.

Who was Mathey Trewhella in the legend?

Mathey Trewhella was a young man famous throughout the parish for his exceptionally beautiful singing voice. It was his song that originally attracted the mermaid to the church.