Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore

Media: BOOK - paperback, 432 pages
Author: J. Simpson & S. Roud
Year: 2003
ISBN: 9780198607663
Other: b&w photos, bibliog
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Folklore is connected to virtually every aspect of life, part of the country, age group and occupation. From the bizarre to the seemingly mundane, folklore is as much a feature of the modern technological age as the ancient world.

With more than 1250 entries, from dragons to Mother Goose, and May Day to Michaelmas, this new reference work is an absorbing, entertaining, and accessible guide to English folklore. English folklore is often regarded as impoverished in comparison with the customs and stories of Scotland, Wales and Ireland, but this new dictionary shows the enormous variety and distinctive features of traditions and beliefs throughout England.

• Oral and Performance Genres -- Cheese rolling, Morris dancing, Well-dressing ...
• Superstitions -- Charms, Rainbows, Wishbones ...
• Characters -- Cinderella, Father Christmas, Robin Hood, Dick Whittington ...
• Supernatural Beliefs -- Devil’s hoofprints, Fairy rings, Frog showers ...
• Calendar Customs -- April Fool’s Day, Helston Furry Day, St Valentine’s DayReview:It becomes at once a new standard reference book in its field -- Library Review
  Brilliant -- The Times