The Portunes is a legendary race that was fabled to live in England.
Description
The Portunes were described by Gervase of Tilbury in the thirteenth century as being small spirit folk with the faces of old men.
Behavior
The Portunes had great strength, and lent their aid to others, and were capable of accomplishing enormous labours in a short amount of time. They snuck into houses at night and roasted frogs in the fires of these homes.
The Portunes also had certain trickster traits: they would take over the reins of travelling horsemen, and lead the hapless horses on merry rides through the wild countryside, finally leading them into a pond or bog, and then disappearing with a laugh.
Quote
"They have in England certain demons, though I know not whether I should call them demons or figures of a secret and unknown generation, which the French call Neptunes, the English Portunes. It is their nature to embrace the simple life of comfortable farmers, and when, on account of their domestic work, they are sitting up at night, when the doors are shut, they warm themselves at the fire, and take little frogs out of their bosom, roast them on the coals, and eat them. They have the countenance of old men, with wrinkled cheeks, and they are of a very small stature, not being quite half an inch high (note 4)" - From Gervase of Tilbury account of the Fairy Mythology of England in the thirteenth century
Source
Keigthley, The Fairy Mythology.