Folklore and Customs of Rural England

Margaret Baker

ISBN 10: 0715365797 / ISBN 13: 9780715365793

Published by David & Charles/Rowman & Littlefield, U.S.A/Great Britain, 1975

About this Item

Hardback. Slight shelf wear to edges of D/J. Slightly sunned spine. 'The Good Old Days' in country arears were ruled by local customs and folklore. This delightful book describes much of England's more important country lore, using contemporary accounts and adding historical material to show the richness of what inevitably lies behind us - often within living memory but not again to be experienced first hand. Old beliefs, superstitions and rituals, their origins long forgotten, lingered on as part of the collective wisdom of the country community, as they still do here and there, safeguarding family, farm and possessions, reflecting the natural longing for security and prosperity. Yet old irrational beliefs are deeply embodied in subconscious folk memeroy and hints of them are still heard in country conversations. At heart, England is still a rual nation. This book throws light on her roots. Illustrated. 208 pp. (We carry a wide selection of titles in The Arts, Theology, History, Politics, Social and Physical Sciences. academic and scholarly books and Modern First Editions etc.).

Seller Inventory # 069476

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Folklore and Customs of Rural England
• Publisher: David & Charles/Rowman & Littlefield, U.S.A/Great Britain
• Publication Date: 1975
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0715365797
• ISBN 13: 9780715365793
• Binding: Cloth
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • History Geography travel Architecture Archaeology

About this title

Synopsis

'The Good Old Days' in country areas were ruled by local custom and folklore. This delightful book describes much of England's more important country lore, using contemporary accounts and adding historical material to show the richness of what inevitably lies behind us - often within living memory but not again to be experienced first hand.

Old beliefs, superstitions and rituals, their origins long forgotten, lingered non as part of the collective wisdom of the country community, as they still do here and there, safeguarding family, farm and possessions, reflecting the natural longing for security and prosperity.

As the social isolation of the village began to break up, with the coming of transport, newspapers, village schools and scientific farming, as people became less credulous, less parochial, the simple festivals of the country calendar, the taboos and rituals followed for generations, came to seem foolish and unsophisticated. Inevitably their fate was sealed.

Yet old irrational beliefs are deeply embodied in subconscious folk memory and hints of them are still heard in country conservations. At heart, England is still a rural nation. This book throws light on her roots.