Few maritime disasters have captured the public imagination like the RMS Titanic. Perhaps it’s because of the relatively recent nature of its sinking, compared to the loss of the Mary Rose warship. The countless films, documentaries, and exhibitions probably help in prolonging fascination. New theories and reconstructions attempt to pin blame on one factor or […]
Blue Men of the Minch: Scotland’s Storm Kelpies
When we look at types of folkloric creature, we often encounter the same types in different places, such as mermaids or fairies. But occasionally, you encounter a creature so localised that it only appears in a single place. The Blue Men of the Minch are one such example. Feared by sailors, the Blue Men of […]
Legends of Submerged Villages: Divine Punishment and Drowned Churches
If we think of submerged cities, lost beneath the waves, we’re probably most likely to think of Atlantis, that thought-experiment that took on a life of its own. Closer to home, there’s the lost Welsh kingdom of Cantre’r Gwaelod, believed to lie beneath the water between Bae Ceredigion and Ynys Enlli. Yet there are countless […]
The Mouse in Folklore: Medicine, Omens, and Collecting Teeth
The humble mouse appears in a surprising amount of folklore. Both a harbinger of death if spotted in the house, and a medical remedy for a range of ailments, it seems the mouse both harms and heals. This reputation even stretches back to ancient Egypt, demonstrating just how ambivalent humans have felt about the tiny […]
Horses in Folklore: Black Bess, Hag Riding, and Spectral Steeds
Humans first domesticated horses in around 3500 BC (Tallis 2012). Since then, they’ve pulled our chariots and carts, carried royalty and soldiers, worked on farms, and been steadfast companions. Horses are actually a prey animal, which perhaps explains their vulnerability to supernatural attack by witches and fairies. Yet as the stories in this article will […]
Dogs in Folklore: Loyal Companions and Witches’ Familiars
Britain is supposed to be a nation of animal lovers, especially when it comes to pet dogs. According to the PDSA, 29% of UK adults own a dog, which gives an estimated population of 10.6 million pet dogs. By comparison, 24% of UK adults have a cat, but because cat owners often have more than […]
