English folklore
From Free net encyclopedia
English folklore is the folk tradition which has developed in England over a number of centuries. Some English legends can be traced back to their roots, even predating the Roman invasion of Britain, while the origin of others is uncertain or disputed. England abounds with folklore, in all forms, from such obvious manifestations as the traditional Arthurian legends and Robin Hood tales, to contemporary urban myths and facets of cryptozoology such as the Beast of Bodmin Moor.
Morris dance and related practices such as the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance preserve old English folk traditions, as do Mummers Plays.
Most folklore traditions are no longer widely believed. Whereas some folklore legends were once believed across the whole of England, most belong to specific regions:
Contents |
Folklore of England
- Barghest
- Brownie (elf)
- Corn dolly
- Cunning folk
- English Country Dance
- Green Man
- Lob
- Maypole dance
- Maypole
- Oak Apple Day
- Parish Ale
- Petrifying well
- Robin Goodfellow is a troublesome elf or hobgoblin
- Saint Swithun - English weather lore
- Sites and places associated with Arthurian legend
- Standing stones and chalk figures in the United Kingdom are the focus for folk tales and beliefs.
- Well dressing
- Wild Hunt
Folklore of East Anglia
Folklore of London and the South East
- Brutus of Troy is the legendary founder of London.
- Gog and Magog are two legendary giants, guardians of the City of London
- Herne the Hunter
- Hoodening
- London Bridge is falling down
- Mallard Song
- Legend of the Mistletoe Bough
- Oranges and Lemons
- Rollright Stones
- Spring Heeled Jack
- Swan Upping
- Saint Swithun, patron of English weather lore
- Wayland the Smith
Folklore of the Midlands
- Black Annis
- Alkborough Turf Maze
- Border Morris
- Dun Cow
- St. Frideswide
- Fulk FitzWarin
- Godiva
- Guy of Warwick
- Haxey Hood Game
- Lincoln Imp
- Major Oak
- Royal Shrovetide Football
- Wise Men of Gotham
- The Wizard of Lincoln
Folklore of the North East
Folklore of the North West
Folklore of the South Coast
Iannic-ann-ôd, the spirits of those drowned and lost at sea, are said to haunt all Celtic coastlines, especially in the South of England and Northern France.
Folklore of the South West
The Reynardine is a werewolf of Dartmoor who attracts beautiful women to him so that he can take them away to his castle. This legend was popularised by a folk song by the band Fairport Convention.
- Abbotsbury Garland Day
- Barber surgeon of Avebury
- Bowerman's Nose
- Cerne Abbas giant
- Cheese rolling
- Corineus
- St. Dunstan is the origin of the lucky horseshoe
- Glastonbury
- Hunky Punk
- Jay's Grave
- Lyonesse
- The Obby Oss of Padstow
- Pixies and Piskies
- The Great Thunderstorm, Widecombe
- Widecombe Fair