A Treasury of British Folklore: Maypoles, Mandrakes and Mistletoe

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?
• Green is considered an unlucky colour for wedding dresses.
• In Scotland, hanging your trousers from the foot of the bed was thought to ward off fairies.
• 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 symbolising death and rebirth.
• 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
• 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 delving into the history of British folklore, this book highlights places where you can experience folklore alive and well today, such as:

• The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival in Cambridgeshire
• The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance in Staffordshire
• Wassailing cider orchards in Somerset

A captivating journey through customs, legends, and traditions that continue to shape British identity.