The Brownie is the perfect household friend. The Brownie was believed to be a household spirit. House owners would leave offerings such as cream, cakes and even porridge by the fire, not as payment but as a recognition of goodwill and respect. In return, Brownies would do household chores and farm tasks; they would also grant good fortune to the family.
The Vicar of Beetham wrote in 1777-
‘A Browny is not a Fairey, but a tawney colour’d Being which will do a great deal of work for a Family, if used well.’
There was only one Brownie per house, and they would only work at night. If they were spied on, criticised, or laughed at, they would leave the household taking their good fortune with them. They would also leave the family if gifted clothes. Once the Brownie left your home, it would never return.
However, don’t let their good nature mislead you. Brownies were also very mischievous. They were said to pull pranks on lazy servants, often pinching them whilst they slept! They would also rummage through the house and cause havoc and mess when offended, and sometimes, just for fun!
Despite their mischievous tendencies, Brownies were rather good domestic beasts. Their name is first mentioned in Reginald Scot’s Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584) and even in King James VI and I Daemonologie. However, King James had a very negative opinion of the beasts.
Throughout Britain, the Brownie has been recognised regionally by many names.
In Sussex, they were called ‘Dobbs’; and ‘Dobies’ were less intelligent Brownies.
In Lancashire and Yorkshire, mainly Northern counties, they referred to the Brownie as a Hob.
Gerald of Wales, who was a twelfth-century historian, mentions the Bwbach in his writings. The Bwbach was described as a helpful spirit much like the Brownie, who inflicted havoc upon the household that angered him! This beast was -in all but name- a Brownie, meaning that people believed in Brownies from as early as 1100AD!
The Scottish had two names for the Brownie, the ‘Wag-at-the-Wa’ and the ‘Ùruisg’. I will leave pronunciation up to you on that one!
Bewitching Britain 