All Sources, sources, Sources

The Lore of the Land

A guide to England’s Legends from Spring-Heeled Jack to the Witches of Warboys

Jennifer Westwood and Jaqueline Simpson

Notes:

Legends/folktale are often found elsewhere (repeated in more than one location).

Great majority of stories are ‘migratory legends’ – that is the basic plot may occur anywhere in the country.

“Any ancient mound may hold treasure, any lake contain a sunken bell”

Mechanism of migration must have been similar to the way today’s urban legends spread from place to place. See tale type index

Good to question why stories were told.

  • Entertainment
  • Community’s natural curiosity about itself and surroundings
  • Echo and enhance community’s pride in own identity
  • Reflection of social, religious, and moral concerns of past generations

All items in book are stories with narrative content.