Tradition: English Mythology
Alternative Names: Will-o’-the-Wisp, Will the Smith
Category: Flame
The Myth
Will the Smith is a wicked blacksmith from English folklore who is condemned to wander the earth as a supernatural light. According to a tale from Shropshire, Will was given a second chance by Saint Peter at the gates of heaven, but continued to lead such a sinful life that he was ultimately denied salvation. Unable to enter heaven, he was doomed to roam the world without rest.
The Devil provided Will with a single burning coal to keep himself warm as he wandered through the darkness. Carrying this glowing ember, Will became a mysterious light haunting the marshes. However, rather than using the coal merely for warmth, he turned it into a means of tormenting others, luring foolish travellers away from safe paths and into the dangerous wetlands.
The legend explains the wandering lights of the marshes as the work of condemned souls, forced to carry their lonely flames through the darkness. Will the Smith’s glowing coal serves both as his only comfort and as a deceptive beacon with which he leads unsuspecting travellers astray.
Sources
“Will-o’-the-wisp.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 11, 2026. Section: “Asia.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will-o%27-the-wisp#Asia