As we celebrate Valentine's Day -- a day for lovers -- we feature two historically star-crossed lovers: Mizzy and Tunkey.
Legend has it that these two enslaved lovers, in the 1700s, leapt to their death over a cliff into the sea. This cliff is known as "Lover's Leap" in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
Legend has it that these two enslaved lovers, in the 1700s, leapt to their death over a cliff into the sea. This cliff is known as "Lover's Leap" in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
Mizzy's master, Richard Chardley, wanted her for himself but there was Tunkey, Mizzy's lover to contend with. Chardley arranged for Tunkey to be sold and when the lovers found out they fled together.
Chardley chased them to the edge of a steep cliff with a drop of approximately 1,600 feet.. Rather than face a life apart they jumped to their death.
The legend of Mizzy and Tunkey is memorialized by a wooden carving of the lovers at the site. Folklore also has it that the name of the area "Yardley Chase" arose from a corruption of the owner's name "Chardley" who gave "chase" to the lovers.
Chardley chased them to the edge of a steep cliff with a drop of approximately 1,600 feet.. Rather than face a life apart they jumped to their death.
The legend of Mizzy and Tunkey is memorialized by a wooden carving of the lovers at the site. Folklore also has it that the name of the area "Yardley Chase" arose from a corruption of the owner's name "Chardley" who gave "chase" to the lovers.
