British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

34704

Title

British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume explores the rich tapestry of Welsh folklore, focusing on the Tylwyth Teg, mountain spirits, and ghostly apparitions. Wirt Sikes presents a collection of legends, superstitions, and customs from South Wales and the border counties, offering a glimpse into a world where magic, faith, and nature intertwine.

Summary up to 500 words

Wirt Sikes' *British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions* stands as a comprehensive anthology dedicated to the supernatural heritage of Wales. Published in 1880, the work is structured into four distinct books that explore the 'Realm of Faerie,' the 'Spirit-World,' 'Quaint Old Customs,' and the occult powers of physical objects like bells, wells, and stones. Sikes posits Wales as the cradle of fairy legend, noting that many European literary subjects were borrowed from Welsh sources, with figures like King Arthur and Merlin originating in pre-historic Welsh mythology before absorbing historical personalities. In the first section, Sikes categorizes the diverse entities of the faerie realm. He details the benevolent *Tylwyth Teg*, the mischievous *Ellyllon* (elves), and the household *Bwbach*. The text explores their habits, interactions with humans, and specific legends, such as the kidnapping of children to create changelings and the fatal dangers of dancing with elves. He also covers mountain fairies like the *Gwyllion* and the fearsome Old Woman of the Mountain, as well as lake fairies and household spirits like the *Pooka*. The second book shifts focus to the spirit world, examining ghosts, spectral animals, and familiars. Sikes discusses the laws governing the dead, haunted houses, and the nature of Welsh ghosts, ranging from duty-performing spirits to grotesque apparitions. He delves into death portents, such as the *Corpse Candle* and the *Tolaeth*, exploring deep-seated beliefs regarding the afterlife. The third book catalogs the serious significance of seemingly trivial customs, covering seasonal traditions like Christmas (*Nadolig*), New Year's Day, and Twelfth Night, alongside rituals surrounding marriage, courtship, and death. Sikes explains the origins of these practices, linking them to pagan roots and religious observances. Finally, the fourth book investigates the occult powers of physical objects. It details legends of mystical bells that could heal or curse, healing and cursing wells dedicated to various saints, and the personification of legendary stones. Throughout the volume, Sikes balances the 'realistic theory,' which explains fairies as displaced humans or animals, with the 'poetico-religious theory,' viewing them as manifestations of divine or demonic forces. The work concludes with a dedication to the Prince of Wales, acknowledging the rich legendary lore that defines the Welsh cultural identity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Folklore
• Mythology
• Welsh Culture