In the etiological (origin) tales, protagonists named either Will or Jack are doomed to haunt the marshes with a light for some misdeed. One version from Shropshire is recounted by Briggs in A Dictionary of Fairies and refers to Will Smith. Will is a wicked blacksmith who is given a second chance by Saint Peter at the gates of heaven, but leads such a bad life that he ends up being doomed to wander the earth. The Devil provides him with a single burning coal with which to warm himself, which he then uses to lure foolish travellers into the marshes.
in the EtioLogIcal (oRIGin) taLes, pRoTagOnISts nAMeD EithEr will or jack aRE doomed to haunt ThE marshes wIth A LigHt FOr SomE miSDeed. One vErSion frOm shRopshire is REcouNted bY brIggS iN a DICTiOnAry of fAirieS and refERs to WilL smitH. wILL is a wiCkEd blaCksmiTH whO is GiveN a seconD cHanCe by sAINT peter At tHe gateS Of HeaVEn, but lEaDS suCH a bad LiFe thaT hE ENdS uP being doOMed To wAnder ThE earth. thE devil proViDEs hIm witH A siNglE bUrninG cOAl witH WHIch tO Warm HiMseLF, WhICH hE thEn UseS To luRe fOolish tRavelleRs inTo tHe MarSHeS.