Tradition: English Mythology, Welsh Mythology
Alternative Names: Jack-a-Kent
Category: Sorcerer
The Myth
Jack o’ Kent is a clever wizard from the Welsh Marches, often portrayed as a robed cleric with magical powers and a sharp mind. He is famous for repeatedly outwitting the Devil through tricks, wagers, and bargains. His legends are especially associated with Herefordshire and Monmouthshire.
In one tale, Jack makes a bargain with the Devil to ensure his crops receive the right amount of sunshine and rain. When harvest comes, the Devil can choose either the tops or the bottoms of the plants. The Devil chooses the tops, expecting wheat, but Jack plants turnips, leaving him with nothing but leaves. The following year, the Devil chooses the bottoms, hoping to claim turnip roots. Jack instead plants wheat, cheating the Devil once again.
In another story, Jack asks the Devil to help him build a bridge in exchange for the first soul to cross it. Once the bridge is finished, Jack throws a bone across it. A hungry dog rushes after the bone and becomes the first to cross, leaving the Devil with an animal instead of a human soul.
Jack’s cleverness also explains various unusual hills, rocks, and other landscape features around the Welsh Marches. His stories portray him as a man who can challenge the Devil and win, not through brute strength, but by finding loopholes in every bargain.
Sources
“Jack o’ Kent.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_o%27_Kent