Sir Philip Sidney, in Seven Wonders of England, says:—
“The Breretons have a lake, which, when the sun
Approaching warms (not else) dead logs up sends
From hideous depth, which tribute when it ends
Sure sign it is the Lord’s last thread is spun.”
Capesthorn—Rudesmere, or Reedsmere.
In the grounds of Capesthorne is a fine sheet of water called Reedsmere, containing a floating island about 1½ acres in size, which in strong winds is blown here and there. A country legend accounts for this floating island by a story that a certain knight was jealous of his lady-love, and vowed not to look upon her face until the island moved on the face of the mere. But he fell sick, and was nigh to death, when he was nursed back to health by the lady, to reward whose constancy a tremendous hurricane tore the island up by the roots.
Rostherne Mere.
“All kinds of legends are current about Rostherne, as is the case with most lakes which are reported to be deep. One is, that a mermaid comes up on Easter Day and rings a bell; another, that it communicates with the Irish Channel by a subterranean passage; another, that it once formed with Tabley, Tatton, Mere, and other lakes, a vast sheet of water that covered the country between Alderley Edge and High Leigh.”—Hope, Holy Wells and Traditions.