Folklore of Yorkshire

Book excerpt: The beautiful county of Yorkshire is the largest in England, and yet still possesses a strong and cohesive regional identity. Built on centuries of shared tradition, a characteristic body of folklore has thrived and endured well into the present day. Folklore of Yorkshire chronicles such beliefs throughout the whole county, identifying distinctive common themes, placing them in their historical context and considering their social and psychological function. You'll discover Yorkshire's holy wells and buried treasure, its boggarts, Black Dogs and fairies, and the legends behind the county's stunning landscape. This fully illustrated book shows how the customs of the past have influenced the ways of today, whilst also revealing something about the nature of folklore itself, both for the tradition-bearers and those who collect it.