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Delve into a captivating compendium of British folklore, superstitions, and legends from yesteryear and today. Did you know that in Cumbria, it was once believed that one couldn't die whilst resting on a pillow stuffed with pigeon feathers? Or that emerald hues were considered ill-fated for bridal gowns? Scottish lore suggested that hanging trousers at the foot of one's bed could keep fairies at bay, whilst in Gloucestershire, notching an ash tree's bark was thought to banish warts.
Beyond the well-known tales of King Arthur and St George, Dee Dee Chainey introduces us to lesser-known figures like the Green Man, a leafy deity symbolising death and rebirth, and Black Shuck, the spectral hound said to prowl East Anglia. This sumptuously illustrated tome weaves together narratives of mountains and rivers, pixies and fairy folk, witchcraft and alchemy, illuminating how British culture has been moulded by generational storytelling and our very landscape.
Not content with merely recounting history, this treasury also serves as a guide to experiencing living folklore. From the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival in Cambridgeshire to the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance in Staffordshire, and wassailing in Somerset's cider orchards, readers are invited to witness these enduring traditions firsthand. A Treasury of British Folklore: Maypoles, Mandrakes and Mistletoe offers a mesmerising journey through the rich tapestry of British cultural heritage.
Book ISBN: | 9781911358398 |
Book Author: | Dee Dee Chainey |
Book Format: | Hardback |
Book Imprint: | National Trust Books |
Book Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
Book Dimensions: | 198 x 145 x 24 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2018-05-04 |
Book Pagination: | 192 pages, 30 black & white illustrations |
Book Weight: | 434g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’