Jenet's Foss

Jenet's Foss (modern name Janet's Foss) is a waterfall and pool on Gordale Beck, about half a mile south of Gordale Scar. Legend has it that a cave by the Foss is the home of Jenet, queen of the fairies of these parts.

Jenet's Foss and cave by Andy Staples

Geography

After emerging from Gordale Scar, Gordale Beck makes one further drop at Jenet's Foss. The water collects in a shallow rocky pool about chest deep below the waterfall before a more leisurely descent to meet the young River Aire south of the township of Malham.
Local folk use the pool for bathing and for washing sheep.
Beck (stream) and foss or force (waterfall) are dialect words derived from Old Norse.

Localized Phenomena

The hidden dell containing the foss, pool and cave is said to be the home of Jenet, queen of the fairies of the area.
Folk from the nearby townships often leave silver pennies for Jenet to gain her blessing - or avoid her wrath - when they want to wash sheep in the pool before shearing time. These pennies are pressing into two fallen trees near the foss.
Some visiting the foss have reported a dreadful green glowing light, sometimes accompanied by a green mist, hovering over the pool, and fled in fear from it. It is not clear wither this light might be caused by Jenet to rid herself of unwelcome visitors, or if she defends folk from it.

The foss from inside Jenet's Cave by Andy Staples

Jenet's Foss by Andy Staples

Type

Waterfall

Owner/Ruler

Hawise of Aumâle

Ruling/Owning Rank

Count

Owning Organization

Honour of Skipton