In the 1700’s, a blacksmith named William John was riding home in a rather drunken state when he saw the unmistakable flickering light of the Canwyll Corff (Corpse Candle) ahead of him. The beer had filled William with all the confidence so often associated with drink, so he rode up to the light to confront it.

 

However, this confidence quickly shriveled as he saw that the corpse of a woman “that dreadfully grinned at him” was holding the candle. Something unseen struck poor William off the horse. He was found later in a distressed condition, and taken home to bed. Whilst there, the body of the woman he had seen was taken along the route he had been travelling at the time of his experience.