Saint Dunstan and the Horseshoe

In the dark and tumultuous times of medieval England, a hero arose to stand against the forces of evil. His name was St. Dunstan, a humble monk and skilled metalworker who would use his talents to outwit the Devil himself. 

Saint Dunstan was an English monk, abbot, and bishop who lived in the 10th century. He is best known for his roles as the Archbishop of Canterbury and the chief adviser to King Edgar. He was a skilled metalworker and was known for his work in the arts, as well as his reforms of the English Church. He was canonized as a saint in 1029. 

The legend of St. Dunstan and the Horseshoe

As the sun set on the bustling medieval town, monk Dunstan stood in his forge, the heat from the flames causing beads of perspiration to roll down his forehead. His apprentice, a young boy named Tom, tended to the fire as Dunstan sat down to rest.

The streets were still alive with the sounds of merchants and craftsmen, all preparing to close up shop for the night. Dunstan's forge was located in a narrow alleyway, hidden away from the main thoroughfare.

He was a skilled blacksmith and a man of the crafts, respected by all who knew him. 

Just as Dunstan was about to finish his work for the night, the door to the forge opened and a dark and sinister figure entered. "Good evening, Dunstan," the figure said in a smooth, silky voice. "I have a proposition for you."

Dunstan knew immediately who this was. "The Devil," he said, his voice filled with disbelief and fear.

The Devil smiled wickedly. "Yes, Dunstan. I have need of your services. I require that you shoe my hoof."

Dunstan hesitated, but he knew he had no choice. He agreed to shoe the Devil's hoof, and Tom brought the beast into the forge. The creature was tall and massive, barely able walk up straight in the small shop, and its hooves were clattering against the stone floor.

As Dunstan began his work, he made sure to cause the Devil as much pain as possible. He made the nails too long, the horseshoe too small, and heated it red before beginning his work. 

The Devil writhed in agony as Dunstan pounded the nails into his hoof, the sound of the hammer ringing out through the forge.

"Stop, Dunstan! I beg of you, stop!" the Devil cried out.

Dunstan relented, but only on one condition. "You must promise never to enter a place where a horse-shoe is displayed," he said sternly.

The Devil agreed, and Dunstan finished the job. From that day on, the Devil was never again seen in a place where a horse-shoe was displayed. And Dunstan was hailed as a hero, a man who had bested the Devil himself. 

His bravery and creativity inspired others, and is even evident in our current society through the symbolism of the horseshoe as an item of luck.