Description
Experience the captivating tales of English folklore with 'Cloven Country,' a mesmerizing new book that reveals the Devil's playful mischief across the picturesque landscape of England. This brand new volume, published by Reaktion Books in 2022, dives into the rich lore that shapes the English countryside, illustrating how the Devil's antics have woven themselves into the very fabric of history. This imaginative narrative is perfect for those who love legends of cunning characters like clever cobblers and astute wives who outsmart the ogre-like figure of the Devil, reminding us that bravery and wit can triumph over evil. With a blend of humor and folklore, 'Cloven Country' paints a vivid picture of valleys shaped by infernal labor, roads forged in a single night, and the scars that tell the tales of encounters with the dark lord. The intertwining of myth with the alluring English landscape makes this book a must-read for folklore enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Dive into the world where the supernatural and the ordinary collide, and enjoy this delightful romp through an enchanting tradition that sheds light on how folklore can shape our understanding of the world around us.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. ISBN: 9781789146509.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781789146509
Year: 2022
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Description:
According to legend, the English landscape – so calm on the surface – is really the Devil's work. Cloven Country tells of rocks hurled into place and valleys carved out by infernal labour. The Devil's hideous strength laid down great roads in one night, and left scars everywhere as the hard stone melted like wax under those burning feet. With roots in medieval folklore, this is not the Satan of prayer, but a clumsy ogre, easily fooled by humankind. When a smart cobbler or cunning young wife outwitted him, they struck a blow for the underdog. Only the wicked squire and grasping merchant were beyond redemption, carried off by a black huntsman in the storm.
'Harte has woven together a rich and wildly entertaining romp through the Devil-pocked English landscape. It is hard not to feel more than a little sympathy, given the amount of times the Devil seems to have been outwitted by all and sundry, but then he must be content in the knowledge that his efforts to disrupt have led to him being memorialized across the UK, in the form of dykes, tors, bridges, cauldrons and punch bowls.' – Simon Costin, director of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and founder of the Museum of British Folklore
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. ISBN: 9781789146509.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781789146509
Year: 2022
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Description:
According to legend, the English landscape – so calm on the surface – is really the Devil's work. Cloven Country tells of rocks hurled into place and valleys carved out by infernal labour. The Devil's hideous strength laid down great roads in one night, and left scars everywhere as the hard stone melted like wax under those burning feet. With roots in medieval folklore, this is not the Satan of prayer, but a clumsy ogre, easily fooled by humankind. When a smart cobbler or cunning young wife outwitted him, they struck a blow for the underdog. Only the wicked squire and grasping merchant were beyond redemption, carried off by a black huntsman in the storm.
'Harte has woven together a rich and wildly entertaining romp through the Devil-pocked English landscape. It is hard not to feel more than a little sympathy, given the amount of times the Devil seems to have been outwitted by all and sundry, but then he must be content in the knowledge that his efforts to disrupt have led to him being memorialized across the UK, in the form of dykes, tors, bridges, cauldrons and punch bowls.' – Simon Costin, director of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and founder of the Museum of British Folklore