From the King& Tinker, named after a traditional tale in which a disguised monarch surprises a local craftsman, to the Eagle & Child, commemorating "the Lathom legend," many British pub names and signs are steeped in local traditions and ancient belief. Here, one of the UK's leading folklorists explores the stories behind the names, showing where they originated and tracing how they have evolved over the years. She reveals whythe Green Man is sometimes depicted asa club-wielding giant with a girdle of leaves and sometimes as a Robin Hood figure, recalls the dramatic tale of local Wiltshire...

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An engrossing guide to English folklore and traditions, with over 1,250 entries. Folklore is connected to virtually every aspect of life, part of the country, age group, and occupation. From the bizarre to the seemingly mundane, it is as much a feature of the modern technological age as of the ancient world.

- Oral and Performance genres-Cheese rolling,...