'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.

Margaret Baker

Newton Abbot: David & Charles

Trafalgar Square Publishing

Bridge Books, Newton Abbot

David and Charles

Sewandso

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

Country matters, Newton Abbot, 1974

Country matters, Newton Abbot, 1988

Newton Abbot, Eng, England, 1974

New Ed edition, April 1989

First Edition, PS, 1974

1st Edition, 1974

Bibliography: p. 197-200.
Includes index.

202 pages [8] pages of plates : 20 cm
Includes bibliographical references (pages 197-200)

Margaret Baker. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 197-200.

2023-06-28