Tales From Antiquaria: 19th Century Folklore & Legends

Nightriders, spriggans and the Mermaid of Padstow! We're back in Cornwall with part one of our wander through Popular Romances of the West of England by Robert Hunt, published by John Camden Hotton of London in 1865. 'When calms rest upon the ocean, and the waves can scarcely form upon the resting waters, still wailings creep along the coast. These are the wailings of this wandering soul. When midnight is on the moor or on the mountains, and the night winds whistle amidst the rugged cairns, t...

Local superstitions, magical hands and the witches of the Northwest; its our second part exploring Lancashire Folklore, the collection wrote in collaboration between John Harland & T.T. Wilkinson, published in 1867. 'The cows of her neighbours were constantly milked by her - the pitcher in which she conveyed the stolen milk away, walking before her in the shape of a goose. Under this disguise her depredations were carried on till a neighbour, suspecting the trick, struck the goose and imm...

The Banshee, the dance of the dead and eagles that fly you to the moon! Its the final part of three with Lady ‘Speranza’ Wilde's 1887 work, Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms and Superstitions of Ireland. 'Sometimes the Banshee assumes the form of some sweet singing virgin of the family who died young. Or she may be seen at night as a shrouded woman, crouched beneath the trees, lamenting with veiled face, or flying past in the moonlight'. Tales From Antiquaria is a podcast dedicated to exploring ...

Horned witches, friendly werewolves and vengeful fairies! We're off to Ireland and the first of three episodes we'll be spending there exploring Lady ‘Speranza’ Wilde's 1887 work, Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms and Superstitions of Ireland. 'And so the knocks went on, and the call was heard, and the witches entered, until at last twelve women sat round the fire; the first with one horn and the last with twelve horns. And they carded the thread, and turned their spinning wheels, and wound and ...

Enchanted mountains, the bewitching of puddings and high jinks in the Bonehouse - we've not covered anything quite like this yet! It's Sidney Oldall Addy's 1895 folk tale collection, Household Tales and Traditional Remains. 'Now Kate knew that if you put the ball inside the ring and wished something your wish would be granted. When the giant had got well into the water, Kate slipped the ball into the ring, and wished that the giant were leagues away and herself safe in her own village. Immedi...

King Arthur, Christian saints and very un-christian Druids! Let's explore our earliest collection to date, George W Manby's 1801 work, The History and Antiquities of the Parish of St Davids. 'Although the life of Saint David will come within the class of its bishops, yet it may not be improper, in this place, to give some few features of this venerable, august , and renowned character. He was a man of great parentage, and near of kin to Arthur, King of England.' Tales From Antiquaria is a pod...

Goblins, fairies and haunted Tudor manors! This is part two of Charlotte Sophia Burne's 1883 collection, A Sheaf of Gleanings. 'Dun you mean little things as come in the night-time, and sing, and whistle, and make music, and dance on the commons and such places? Fairies, they call 'em. I’ve heard o’them, but I never knew any one see ’em.' Tales From Antiquaria is a podcast dedicated to exploring the legacy of work published regarding folklore and local history during the golden age of antiqua...

Divine intervention, low moral tones and the King of England! Welcome to Bygone Derbyshire, the 1892 work by William Andrews. 'The old judicial superstitions that the wounds of a murdered man shed forth fresh gore at the touch of the murderer, doubtless terrified many a guilty wretch into the confession of his crime'. Tales From Antiquaria is a podcast dedicated to exploring the legacy of work published regarding folklore and local history during the golden age of antiquarian writing in the n...

Spectacular natural phenomena, sundials made of ice and stories of a headless horseman! John Sleigh’s 1862 collection, A History of the Ancient Parish of Leek is the subject of our maiden episode! ‘An old witch of the Frith used to transform herself into the shape of a hare, and allow Mr. Wood’s dogs to course her, for the sake of a small gratuity usually given to her husband, who would discreetly hint at her whereabouts.’ Tales From Antiquaria is a podcast dedicated to exploring the legacy o...