Meryall’s 17th century Lancashire is very different to our own. Christianity has never taken hold and the craft of the cunning folk has flourished without the zealous oversight of the church.
Meryall lives in the woodland outside the village of Thornton-Cleveleys, in an ancient cave house built into a long ridge of rock.
Although Meryall’s cave house is fictitious (it was actually inspired by cave houses closer to my own home, such as those in Kinver and this one in the Wyre Forest featured on Grand Designs), Thornton-Cleveleys, as it’s residents and visitors will attest, is quite real… although somewhat different in real life!
An ancient site, there is evidence of habitation in the area from the Iron Age onwards. If I was to be accurate, I would simply call the village Thornton, as it did not merge with seaside resort of Cleveleys until much later than my story takes place, however, it is an alternate history and I liked the name so much that I decided it should stay!
Thornton-Cleveleys is situated with the river Wyre to one side and the coast line to the other.
Changes to the landscape through marsh drainage and through industry have resulted in the face of the area altering greatly over the centuries, but in Meryall’s timeline, the marshy land, forest, river and sea remain relatively untouched.
Her village is a lively one, with a busy market day and good trade links due to it’s proximity to the coast and river.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my depiction of Thornton-Cleveleys – and that you get the chance to visit the real place, if you haven’t already!
Prudence