Goram and Vincent - The Legend and Its Variants

The Legend and Its Variants

The legend of Goram and Vincent of Bristol belongs to the genus of myths which explain the origin of local geographical features by supernatural activity, and trade on existing place-names in order to do so. Such myths are often also the basis for other new names. Of course, it is unlikely that this story was ever intended to be taken seriously by sober adults. It comes in more than one version (Ray Thomas' account).

The most widespread version of the legend relates that two local giants, Goram and Vincent - who, according to one version, were brothers - fancied the same woman, the beautiful Avona (whose name is that of the major local river, the River Avon, in Latin dress). She was open-minded about her suitors, and offered herself to whichever of them could drain the lake which supposedly once occupied the space between Bradford-on-Avon (Wiltshire) and Bristol. They chose different routes through the limestone hills for their drainage channels. Goram opted for a route through Henbury, and Vincent chose one on the south side of Clifton.

Unfortunately for Goram, he overheated while hard at work, drank a giant quantity of ale, and fell asleep in his favourite (stone) chair, whilst Vincent paced himself better and completed his channel. (One version depicts Goram as lazy and Vincent as keen and industrious.) The geographical point is to explain the narrow gorge of the Hazel Brook (a tributary of the river Trym) in Henbury and the dramatic Avon Gorge through which the Avon now flows. The onomastic point is to account for the name of the Avon Gorge, but this is a bit feeble since the river has had this name from time immemorial.

The legend also provides a basis for explaining the existence of other geographical features. When Goram woke up, he was distraught at losing Avona’s affections. He first stamped his foot in a pet, creating The Giant's Footprint in the Henbury gorge, and then drowned himself in the Severn. The two islands in the Severn estuary, Steep Holm and Flat Holm, are his head and shoulder. Goram also has his Soap-Dish, which is a short pillar capped with earth, and a pool also in the Henbury gorge; this name has no obvious relation to the legend in its current forms. (For other features in the Bristol area, see also below.)