A comprehensive A-Z guide to the social and oral cultures of many peoples, exploring folk traditions from around the world and from all periods of history. It examines the origins and importance of particular beliefs and practices to different peoples and cultures while looking at the lives of famous characters from history and legend, such as King Arthur and Robin Hood. It also includes articles on specific tales and legends, detailing not only their plots, but also their origins and their historical and social backgrounds, covering a wide variety of subjects, ranging from the mythology of creatures such as foxes, eagles, dragons and fairies, to the rituals surrounding such important human celebrations as birth, marriage and death.
An informative, entertaining and essential reference for anyone interested in history, myth, legend and popular culture.
