In 'Popular Romances of the West of England' by Robert Hunt, the author delves into the rich tradition of folklore and legends in the West of England. Written in a captivating and accessible style, the book explores various tales of myth and magic, providing readers with a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the region. Hunt's meticulous research and attention to detail make this collection a valuable resource for those interested in British folklore and storytelling. The book's narrative style immerses readers in a world of enchantment and mystery, shedding light on the customs and beliefs of the past. Robert Hunt's work is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the importance of preserving oral traditions. With his passion for local history and folklore, the author has crafted a compelling and informative book that is sure to captivate readers of all ages. 'Popular Romances of the West of England' comes highly recommended for anyone with a love for folklore, history, or literary traditions.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1881.

This book asks why so many authors drew on Cornwall for inspiration across the long nineteenth century, and considers the seismic cultural changes in Cornwall that spurred this interest – from the collapse of the mining industry to the developing national rail network; from the birth of tourism to the neomedieval rise in interest in King Arthur. Understanding frequently overlooked Cornwall in this period is vital to understanding Gothic literature, the Victorian imagination, intellectual and creative networks, and attitudes towards regionality. The first part of the book considers landscape and legend, defining a mining Gothic tradition, exposing the shipwreck as Gothic mastertrope, and demonstrating how antiquarians drew from Cornish legends and lore. The second part explores encounters with modernity, investigating the impact of railway expansion on access to Cornwall, the development of a Cornish King Arthur as a key figure of Victorian masculinity, and the specific features of the Cornish ghost story.

Reproduction of the original: Traditions, Ssuperstitions, and Folk-Lore by Charles Hardwick

Includes the Reports of the Institution, which, prior to the establishment of the Journal, were issued separately.

Mysticism, Myth and Celtic Identity explores how the mythical and mystical past informs national imaginations. Building on notions of invented tradition and myths of the nation, it looks at the power of narrative and fiction to shape identity, with particular reference to the British and Celtic contexts. The authors consider how aspects of the past are reinterpreted or reimagined in a variety of ways to give coherence to desired national groupings, or groups aspiring to nationhood and its 'defence'. The coverage is unusually broad in its historical sweep, dealing with work from prehistory to the contemporary, with a particular emphasis on the period from the eighteenth century to the present. The subject matter includes notions of ancient deities, Druids, Celticity, the archaeological remains of pagan religions, traditional folk tales, racial and religious myths and ethnic politics, and the different types of returns and hauntings that can recycle these ideas in culture. Innovative and interdisciplinary, the scholarship in Mysticism, Myth and Celtic Identity is mainly literary but also geographical and historical and draws on religious studies, politics and the social sciences. Thus the collection offers a stimulatingly broad number of new viewpoints on a matter of great topical relevance: national identity and the politicization of its myths.