History Of British Folklore

First published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This set re-issues classic works on folklore by Richard M. Dorson which trace the historical development of the idea of folklore from the sixteenth century to the First World War. The set also brings together theoretical writings from some of the most influential folklorists. The following titles are reprinted here: The British Folklorists0-415-20476-3 Here Dorson explores the early origins of the folklore movement which became prominent in the Victorian period, but which originated in the sixteenth century. He shows how the influence of folklore extended to literature, history, the classics, archaeology, philology, physical research and legal and medical antiquities. Peasant Customs and Savage Myths, Volume I: 0-415-20477-1 and Volume II: 0-415-20478-X These two companion volumes bring together the theoretical writings of some of the most brilliant folklorists, including Andrew Lang, Sidney Hartland, George Laurence Gomme, Alfred Nutt and Joseph Jacobs. The subjects they discuss range from the origin and dispersion of the Aryans to the animistic philosophy of 'savages' and the survivals of primitive beliefs among peasants.George Laurence Gomme, Alfred Nutt and Joseph Jacobs. The subjects they discuss range from the origin and dispersion of the Aryans to the animistic philosophy of 'savages' and the survivals of primitive beliefs among peasants.

An entertaining and engrossing collection of British customs, superstitions and legends from past and present. Did you know, in Cumbria it was believed a person lying on a pillow stuffed with pigeon’s feathers could not die? Or that green is an unlucky colour for wedding dresses? In Scotland it was thought you could ward off fairies by hanging your trousers from the foot of the bed, and in Gloucestershire you could cure warts by cutting notches in the bark of an ash tree.You’ve heard about King Arthur and St George, but how about the Green Man, a vegetative deity who is seen to symbolise death and rebirth? Or Black Shuck, the giant ghostly dog who was reputed to roam East Anglia?In this beautifully illustrated book, Dee Dee Chainey tells tales of mountains and rivers, pixies and fairy folk, and witches and alchemy. She explores how British culture has been shaped by the tales passed between generations, and by the land that we live on.As well as looking at the history of this subject, this book lists the places you can go to see folklore alive and well today. The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival in Cambridgeshire or the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance in Staffordshire for example, or wassailing cider orchards in Somerset.

This book discusses the origin and dispersion of the Aryans, the mythopoeic world view of early man, the animistic philosophy of savages, and the survivals of primitive belief among peasants, which enlivened the folklore controversies.

This comprehensive reference book offers a fascinating look at the rich and varied world of British folklore. Gomme provides detailed entries on a wide range of topics, including folk customs, beliefs, and superstitions, as well as the origins and meanings of traditional music, dance, and storytelling. The Dictionary of British Folklore is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history and culture of the British Isles. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This collection explores folklore and folkloristics within the diverse and contested national discourses of Britain and Ireland, examining their role in shaping the islands’ constituent nations from the eighteenth century to our contemporary moment of uncertainty and change. This book is concerned with understanding folklore, particularly through its intersections with the narratives of nation entwined within art, literature, disciplinary practice and lived experience. By following these ideas throughout history into the twenty-first century, the authors show how notions of the folk have inspired and informed varied points from the Brothers Grimm to Brexit. They also examine how folklore has been adapting to the real and imagined changes of recent political events, acquiring newfound global and local rhetorical power. This collection asks why, when and how folklore has been deployed, enacted and considered in the context of national ideologies and ideas of nationhood in Britain and Ireland. Editors Cheeseman and Hart have crafted a thoughtful and timely collection, ideal for students and scholars of folklore, history, literature, anthropology, sociology and media studies.