Many years ago, a butler of the Musgrove family made his way towards St. Cuthbert’s Well in order to get water. As he approached the well, he saw a group of fairies dancing there around a cup made of glass. The man swiftly took hold of the cup and refused to hand it back. The fairy leader stated to him, “If that cup should break or fall, Farewell the luck of Eden Hall”.

 

The cup is purportedly of Syrian origin and dating from the 13th century. It is beautifully decorated in blue, green, red and white enamel with gilding, and an inscription “his”. Scholars suggest it may have been intended for a Christian purpose. It remains on permanent view in the Medieval & Renaissance galleries.