Lancashire legends traditions pageants sports & with an appendix containing a rare tract on the Lancashire witches

This book was published in 1873, and contains folklore and folk-wisdom from Lancaster, England. Some of the general topics covered are: legends and traditions; pageants, maskings, and mummings; sports and games; punishments; popular rhymes, proverbs, sayings, and similes; miscellaneous superstitions and observances. There is also information on May Day celebrations (such as the morris or morrice dance), omens, love charms, and riddles.. Several poems and songs are included, such as “The Legend of Sir Tarquin” and “The Dragon of Wantley”, "The Fause Fable of the Lord Lathom. A Fayned Tale", “The Devil at Cockerham”, as well as a tract called “The Famous History of the Lancashire Witches”. In the Games section rhymes, historical information, and rules are given. Many different proverbs, similes, and sayings are listed, often in the original dialect and sometimes with commentary explaining words or terms. The Legends and Traditions section is alphabetical by location, i.e. “The Clegg Hall Tragedy” or “The Crosses in Whalley Churchyard”. The authors try to trace back the tales to their historical roots and families, if possible, or will clarify if a legend really does seem to just be a tall tale. Many rhymes and songs are given, as well as superstitions and what is considered lucky or unlucky. Fairs are described, and what activities took place there, the prizes given, as well as financial specifics. The section on punishments describe what branks, bridles, ducking-stool, and other instruments or ceremonies that were used by the community to punish those they viewed as immoral. . John Harland (1806-1868) “Journalist and antiquarian, author of several studies and monographs relating to the dialect, history and folklore of Lancashire. He worked as head reporter for The Manchester Guardian.” Other works by this author: Ballads and Songs of Lancashire: Chiefly Older than the 19th Century, Lancashire Lyrics: Modern Songs and Ballads of the County Palatine, Lancashire Folk-lore: Illustrative of the Superstitious Beliefs and Practises, Local Customs and Usages of the People of the County Palatine, Ballads and Songs of Lancashire, ancient and modern, collected, compiled and edited with notes.. T. T. Wilkinson (or Thomas Turner Wilkinson – d. 1874) was an editor and a writer. Some of his other works are: History of the parochial church of Burnley: its endowments, its records, and its incumbents: with a description of the Towneley and Stansfield chapels, and an appendix containing accounts of all the district churches within the chapelry, and Lancashire folk-lore: illustrative of the superstitious beliefs and practices, local customs and usages of the people of the county Palatine..