The Crow Hill bog burst.

On 2 September 1824, the bog on Crow Hill above Haworth suddenly burst, leading to a landslide and severe flooding. Branwell, Emily & Anne Brontë, caught in the deluge while walking on the moors, were forced to shelter in a farmhouse porch. Find out more from  Principal Curator, Ann Dinsdale

Emily was inspired by the event.

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High Waving Heather

High waving heather, 'neath stormy blasts bending,

Midnight and moonlight and bright shining stars;

Darkness and glory rejoicingly blending,

Earth rising to heaven and heaven descending,

Man's spirit away from its drear dongeon sending,

Bursting the fetters and breaking the bars.

All down the mountain sides, wild forest lending

One mighty voice to the life-giving wind;

Rivers their banks in the jubilee rending,

Fast through the valleys a reckless course wending,

Wider and deeper their waters extending,

Leaving a desolate desert behind.

Shining and lowering and swelling and dying,

Changing for ever from midnight to noon;

Roaring like thunder, like soft music sighing,

Shadows on shadows advancing and flying,

Lightning-bright flashes the deep gloom defying,

Coming as swiftly and fading as soon.