The English Year

Description

Where does Maypole dancing come from? Why should you protect yourself on Mischief Night in April? Where is the 'Devils's Stone' turned every November? Why is there an annual Clowns' Service in London? Who was Jack-in-the-Green and when does he appear? Why should you always wear new clothes at Easter?This enthralling book will take you, month by month, day by day, through all the festivities of English life. From national celebrations such as New Year's Eve to regional customs such as the Padstow Hobby Horse procession, cheese rolling in Gloucestershire adn Easter Monday bottle kicking in Hallton, it explains how they originated, what they mean and when they occur.A fascinating guide to the richness of our heritage and the sometimes eccentric nature of life in England, The English Year offers a unique chronological view of our social customs and attitudes.

Steve Roud has been researching British folklore for over thirty years. He is the author of The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland, and winner of the 2004 Katharine Briggs Folklore Award.