55 Products

The world of Native American mythology is inhabited by such fantastical and capricious characters as the shape-shifting trickster Coyote and the mischievous Blue Jay. The seminal study of these sacred tales, by Scottish folklorist Lewis Spence, now appears in this updated edition with a new introductory essay, commentary on Native American culture and additional stories from tribes, such as the Inuit, omitted by Spence.

Beginning with the first appearance of Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae (c.1139), this study surveys medieval Arthurian literature, searching for the historical and geographical origins of the Merlin legend. Clarkson goes back to Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Celtic sources to uncover the mysterious figures of Myrddin Wyllt (Wild Merlin) and Lailoken; he discusses the legendary battle of Arfderydd, Merlin as Wild Man and seer; and reveals the Scottish origins of the legendary wizard.

The starry night sky has inspired countless stories, myths and legends, and this book – aimed at the imaginative stargazer – tells some of those tales through poems, prose, letters and other literary devices. From the sinful Cassiopeia to the wandering Ursa Major, each story is accompanied by a charming illustration and constellation map, including adjacent constellations, the ‘apparent magnitude’ or brightness of each star as seen from Earth, and a list of asterisms or corresponding names. Felt-tip mark on lower trimmed edge.

Stories of humans transforming into wolves go back to the ancient Greek civilization, and were widely believed in the Middle Ages with werewolf trials taking place in central Europe from the 15th century. From the monsters of classical and Norse myths to the inventions of gothic writers and modern fantasy authors, this compendium profiles the origins and characteristics of a host of supernatural creatures including dragons, goblins, griffins, vampires and unicorns.

After a brief history of the ‘Viking Age’, which saw the movement of peoples from Scandinavia to the British Isles, Eleanore Parker turns to medieval chronicles and legends about the Vikings or ‘Danes’. Although the medieval narratives often portray the Scandinavians as raiders whose purpose was plunder and destruction, Parker’s close study of the stories reveals other motives – including participation in English politics and the need to settle – and she traces the positive Viking contribution to culture and identity in England.

First published in 1955, this classic compendium of Hebridean folklore contains material collected by the author between 1929 and 1935, when she was staying in South Lochboisdale. Her evocative photographs document the life of this small community of crofter-fishermen, complementing the lyrics and melodies of more than 100 folk songs and the stories, prayers and proverbs that were passed on through the local oral tradition. Texts are in Gaelic with English translations.

This classic survey of tales about ‘the other-world of the Celtic race’ was first published in 1911; it is based both on Celtic literature and on oral traditions from the British Isles and Brittany, which Evans Wentz helped to record. As he seeks an ordering principle for these survivals of ancient beliefs he applies theories from anthropology, comparative religion and psychical research. This reprint features a new foreword by poet and Yeats scholar Kathleen Raine.

Francis Young, himself at the forefront of the search to locate the lost coffin of King Edmund, tells the story of the historical search for the real man behind the legendary East Anglian king killed by the Vikings in 869. The book traces Edmund’s progress from martyred king to England’s national saint in medieval times; and describes current research into Edmund’s burial in the abbey at Bury St Edmunds and the present whereabouts of his mortal remains.

The synopses and commentaries in this ‘explorative study’ help the reader to unlock the cultural significance and spiritual meanings of the ‘Four Branches’ and ‘Taliesin’, the most ancient myths in the Welsh Mabinogion. Matthews’ interpretations focus on the initiatory pattern of Britain’s inner guardians and the figures of the archetypal liberator Mabon and his mother, Modron the Great Goddess. Revised and updated edition of Mabon and the Mysteries of Britain.

Ancient Greek myth tells of ferocious female warriors called Amazons who lived near the Black Sea and slaughtered their male children. Could the story reflect a real matriarchal society, or perhaps a women-only religious cult? This book follows the author’s quest for the evidence, not only in ancient texts and artistic depictions but also in archaeological discoveries such as the graves of Iron-Age women buried with arrows, swords and armour.

In December 1975, Nature, the prestigious scientific journal, published Sir Peter Scott’s article ‘Naming the Loch Ness Monster’ and a photograph of the monster’s diamond-shaped fin. This book looks afresh at the ensuing saga of the ‘plesiosaur in Loch Ness’.

This expanded edition of an acclaimed reference work has substantial entries for the greatest gods and heroes, from Achilles to Zeus, together with information on a host of minor figures, such as nymphs, seers and river-gods. References are given to the passages of Greek and Roman literature where their stories appear, as well as examples of the ancient myths’ influence on modern works. The book also features more than 170 illustrations, largely redrawn from Greek vases.

For this classic collection, first published in 1985, the distinguished poets and folklorists Norah and William Montgomerie gathered over 200 traditional nursery rhymes from all over Scotland. Arranged in sections including Birds and Beasties, Bairns’ Play and Sangs and Ferlies (wonders), there are games, counting rhymes, riddles, songs and lullabies as well as familiar rhymes such as ‘Bobbie Shafto’ and ‘Dance tae yer Daddy’.

In this great survey of animals and their symbolism, Boria Sax has abandoned biological classification in favour of tradition, linking the animals not only to their natural habitat and habits, but also to human cultural values and practices. The resulting categories range from almost human (apes, monkeys, bears, beavers, porcupines and pigs), through tricksters, musicians, man’s best friends, beasts of burden and tough guys to divinities (owls, eagles, doves and, remarkably, the rhinoceros).

Adam Ardrey follows up the detective work in his Finding Merlin with this account of his wider investigations into the legend of King Arthur. He reaches the startling conclusion that the historical Arthur came from Scotland, and also presents evidence to suggest that some of the story’s most familiar features – the Round Table, the Sword in the Stone and the Lady of the Lake – have their origins in the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

‘History,’ said Napoleon, ‘is a set of lies agreed upon.’ The six audacious hoaxes examined in this book each became widely accepted as historical fact, before being exposed as a fraud. From the purported ‘missing link’ fossils of ‘Piltdown Man’ to the numerous volumes of the Hitler Diaries, they illustrate the forger’s devious modus operandi and warn how easily ‘wanting to believe’, either through greed or for ideological reasons, allows us to be fooled.

Adam Ardrey follows up the detective work in his Finding Merlin with this account of his wider investigations into the legend of King Arthur. He reaches the startling conclusion that the historical Arthur came from Scotland, and also presents evidence to suggest that some of the story’s most familiar features – the Round Table, the Sword in the Stone and the Lady of the Lake – have their origins in the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

Lost treasure, stolen pigs, Robin Hood, Bobby Shafto’s silver buckles... Excavated from old books of ballads and local archives, or preserved in folklore, the stories of each county are retold by local historians and storytellers in these Tales of Old.

Lost treasure, stolen pigs, Robin Hood, Bobby Shafto’s silver buckles... Excavated from old books of ballads and local archives, or preserved in folklore, the stories of each county are retold by local historians and storytellers in these Tales of Old.

St Juthware has carried her severed head down Abbot’s Hill in Dorset since the eighth century; a terrifying Black Friar haunts the rooms of Rufford Abbey in Nottinghamshire; the noise of a phantom fighter plane has been heard over Romney Marsh since the Battle of Britain. Journeying through the English counties, the authors of these fascinating books retell the ancient and modern tales of the supernatural, and picture many of the haunted sites

Each of these invaluable introductory guides to today's critical terminology offers an original overview by a leading literary or cultural critic.

Intended as first introductions for students new to a subject, each of these guidebooks gives an overview of the fundamental principles of a subject area in an accessible format and jargon-free language.

Intended as first introductions for students new to a subject, each of these guidebooks gives an overview of the fundamental principles of a subject area in an accessible format and jargon-free language.

Starting at the 'central gathering ground' at Avebury, Cox's guide covers all the ancient roads of England, following the Stone Age ridge roads of southern England, describing, with the help of maps, plans and illustrations, the hill forts and other earthworks found along them and discussing other aspects of neolithic civilization. Facsimile edition.

This compendium of 'lore' describes - and hopefully revives - knowledge and skills such as calculating with logarithms, using a map and compass, writing by hand or making fire without matches.

This spiritual guide explores how the profound power of stories has given our world meaning and made us human. Exploring how ancient myths, megalithic structures, the formation of language and prehistoric cave art are narratives shaped by sacred proportion, Richard Heath explains that stories enable us to identify the spiritual aspect within the material world and to participate in the evolution of human consciousness.

With excerpts from Geoffrey of Monmouth, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and less well-known sources from across Europe, Barber’s anthology shows the diversity of the original Arthur legends.

David Clarke opens The National Archives’ own X Files to uncover the secret, official accounts behind legendary paranormal and extraordinary phenomena. From the First World War mystery of the Angel of Mons, through sea monsters sighted by the Royal Navy, UFO sightings and psychic crime investigators, to the Beast of Bodmin Moor, Clarke brings to light secret documents created by military intelligence and government agencies, and examines the official evidence of encounters with the uncanny and inexplicable.

The Channel Islands are particularly rich with prehistoric sites in the form of dolmens and menhirs which, although their origin and purpose are unknown, have been reviled as the domain of witches and ghosts as well as hailed as the source of magical properties and healing. This book explores how these superstitions survive in Channel Island folklore to this day, and recounts some of the tales of locals who have apparently suffered terrible fates after disturbing the ancient sites.

Why do we tell actors to 'break a leg' instead of wishing them luck; why would you carry a potato in your pocket; and what happens if the baby is born at sunset? Harry Oliver's compilation of old wives' tales and superstitions has the answers – or at least the theories – but there are no promises that the performance will go well, your rheumatism will be cured or the child will be lazy. Slightly off-mint.

Legend has it that in the 16th century, Sawney Bean and his cave-dwelling and incestuous family of cannibal killers survived for years on the bodies of over 1,000 victims. In this investigation, Pardoe goes in search of what is real and what is fictional in the saga of Sawney Bean and how it has changed over time. His researches provide some fascinating insights into the literary formats, anti-Scottish prejudice and sensationalist culture of early modern Britain.

Rudolf Hess's solo flight to Scotland in 1941 was one of the more bizarre events of the Second World War, apparently undertaken entirely on his own initiative to open peace negotiations with the British. This analysis seeks to throw new light on the episode by examining in detail the flight records, notes and maps used by Hess and concluding that the mission must have been planned with the assistance of both senior German authorities and the British secret services.

Examining the themes that underlie the art, worship and literature of the Western world, this volume traces European consciousness from the Levantine earth goddesses of the Bronze Age to the late Middle Ages and the religions of Persia, Rome, Islam and Christian Europe.

Forests are among our most ancient, primal landscapes, and fairytales one of our earliest and most vital forms of storytelling. In this richly layered book, Sara Maitland travels the length of Britain, exploring woodlands from the New Forest to Galloway, through the changing seasons of a year. Each journey is paired with an enchanting retelling of an ancient fairytale, evoking the secrets and silence, the joys and terrors of the woods in a magical blend of nature writing and fiction.

'Written after careful study of ancient manuscripts and patient following of the dragons' trail throughout the world', this book begins by describing – and illustrating in Ciruelo's fantastical paintings – the physiology, habitats and various types of dragons, then goes on to examine their role in culture and customs and retell the classic legends – from the dragons' perspective. Age 8+

From Bram Stoker’s Dracula to The Lost Boys, True Blood and Twilight, this is an investigation into the popularity of vampires, examining folklore, literature, film, TV, world. some b&w

Drawing on early written records and archaeological evidence, Crichton provides a compelling account of Arthur as Celtic hero. Includes details of sites to visit along the King's journey southward.

From the Shetland fire festival of Up Helly Aa to the mermaid of Zennor's tale of love and loss, Britain's folklore is deeply rooted in a bygone age when pastoral demands shaped the year, yet many of these centuries-old celebrations are alive and well today. This illustrated guide describes places and events where such traditions can still be experienced, along with maps, directions and a list of festivals by date, to provide everything you need to plan your folklore journey.

Natural springs were revered by Devon's Celtic and early Christian inhabitants as places of healing and spirituality. Local place names give clues to their locations and many in fact still exist, hidden among modern town developments or in remote and neglected rural spots. This book explores the history of sacred wells in the county and seeks out over 90 surviving examples, with location photographs and notes on how to find them.

The Holy Grail has haunted the human imagination for centuries. It represents the highest Christian ideals, yet it is nowhere mentioned in the Bible. How did it became such a potent image? Is it simply a symbol of a perfection that lies beyond our reach? Ranging across theology, history, literature and art, Richard Barber's book traces the stories surrounding this most elusive of symbols, from Chretien de Troyes' 12th century writings to the Grail's iconic status in new- age mysticism.

From the Gunpowder Plot to the Millennium Bug, all manner of historical mysteries, plots, cover-ups and unexplained phenomena are explored in this colourful survey. The ring-bound file contains not only chapters on assassinations, UFOs and aliens, spies, hoaxes, disputed identities and mysteries surrounding the Titanic and the Bermuda Triangle, but facsimiles of memorabilia including postcards and newspaper front pages.

This study dates from 1951, when the future poet and writer Gary Snyder was an anthropology student analysing the many levels of meaning in a Native American myth of the 'swan maiden'.

Gawain, nephew of King Arthur, was once the most important knight at Arthur’s Court, yet as the popularity of the Arthurian legend grew his character gradually evolved into a womanizing villain. This scholarly study by a leading Arthurian expert explores how this happened over many hundreds of years of British storytelling, and seeks to restore Gawain’s reputation. This American edition was previously published in the UK as Gawain: Knight of the Goddess.

From the birth of the gods to the aftermath of the Trojan War and Plato's myth of Atlantis, Kershaw tells the stories of Greek mythology and discusses the wide-ranging influence of these tales on western culture. The book's final section surveys the ways in which people have tried to understand and rationalize myths, from antiquity to the present.