dobie

A kind of brownie, although some were ghosts rather then fairies. They can assume different forms. In Yorkshire, they are attached to particular houses and farms. Though naturally lazy, they are said to make incredible exertions for the family in case of trouble or difficulty. Another type, which differs from the domestic dobie, or dobby, inhabits bridges, old towers, and the like, and instead of working they frighten travelers by jumping behind them on horseback, squeezing them so as to impede their breathing.

They are attached to people, not places, and will follow their family when moving to a new domicile, although those who haunted houses could be sent away by given them gifts.

In Sussex called dobbs or Master Dobbs. Another dobby was at Teesdale, called The Mortham Dobby.

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