The Ragadaziow (forefathers) are a group of Guisers (masked performers) who meet annually at Bodmin Riding day. They represent local worthies and Guild Masters intent on performing their Janticle, a procession of St Petroc’s Ossery Casket throughout the town.

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Proceedings are interrupted by news of a rampaging Beast threatening to upset the ceremony. Something must be done,  and so, after some deliberation, the Helliers (hunters), youths of the town, are called upon to find and capture the Beast and present him for trial. The Janticle and hunt for the Beast continues throughout the day. When he is captured the Beast is paraded to the Folly where the trial commences at eleven minutes to four (1549).

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The trail is conducted by the self-appointed leader of the local worthies, the legendary Justice Jan Tregeagle, who makes compelling opening arguments that seem to guarantee the Beast being found guilty and his subsequent execution.

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Fate intervenes and as Tregeagle swears an oath by all he holds dear on St Petroc’s Bones, a magical transformation occurs. The various worthies become characters from history and are called as witnesses for the defence.

 

The Bodmin Play (An Gwary Bosvenna) is in the form of a traditional mummers play. Common themes being; that the players are in disguise; magical transformations occur; “serious” messages are given in an apparently frivolous medium; grotesque drolls are given licence to make “subversive” comments; there is a death and resurrection scene and that ultimately good overcomes evil.

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The Play borrows from ancient Cornish miracle plays, historic manuscripts, local folk songs, folk lore, customs and traditions.

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The Beast of Bodmin is not only a fairly recent popular cultural reference but also harks back to the local tradition of a dragon at Halgavor. Legend has it that St Petroc removed a splinter from the creature’s eye and so tamed it. Historical records of Riding Day Revels refer to people being tricked into searching for and fighting it and the name the Dragon Pit persists in the location of the Dragon Leisure Centre.

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There are many myths and legends throughout Britain and Cornwall of large, black fearsome beasts haunting secluded areas. They frequently resemble huge, hairy, dog like creatures with enormous teeth and glowing eyes. Usually they have a sinister reputation but on occasion they show benevolence by steering lost travellers away from peril. In Cornwall these supernatural beings are known as Lane Hounds.

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The Beast of Bodmin Riding Day draws these features together as a local Cornish spirit. The Helliers are therefore sent to seek that Cornish spirit and through their efforts find it within themselves and themselves within it.

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During the Bodmin Play the defence of the Beast references scenarios when that spirit was challenged, suffered and yet still survives. The counsel for his defence sums up the beasts personality best:-

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This Beast was born of this land and reflects its nature.

This land is at once wild and rugged and yet a cornucopia of riches for he who is prepared to seek them.

Try to tame it and it will bite you.

Embrace it and you have a friend for ever.

Tax it and it will begrudge you ever penny

Ask for alms and it will gladly give you five fold.

Harness it and it will drag you to destruction,

Work beside it and you will achieve great feats.

 

He is unkempt, he is wild;

He cannot be tamed, he is nature’s child.

Can he be rude if denied a voice?

Is he uncivilized if denied his choice?

If he should roam, you say he rampages;

Yet this is his home denied him for ages.

His very existence is his only offence

And there rests the case for the defence.