English folklore
English folklore is the folk tradition which has evolved in England over a number of centuries. Some English legends can be traced back to their roots, even as far as before the Roman invasion of Britain, while the origin of others is fairly uncertain or disputed.
Whereas some folklore legends are believed in nationally across the whole of England, most can generally be divided into regional areas of England:
Folklore Legends of England
Robin Goodfellow is a troublesome elf or hobgoblin. See Robin Goodfellow.
Folklore Legends of East Anglia
Folklore Legends of London and the South East
Folklore Legends of the Midlands
Black Annis is a blue faced witch who lives in a cave in the Dane Hills of Leicestershire, and who goes out onto the glens at night looking for unsuspecting children and lambs to eat, then hangs their skins around her waist. This legend is of disputed origin, some say it is based on a Fifteenth century hermit called Agnes Scott, while others say it is much older and probably Celtic in origin.
The Wizard of Lincoln
Folklore Legends of the North East
Folklore Legends of the North West
Folklore Legends of the South Coast
Iannic-ann-ôd, the spirits of those drowned and lost at sea, are said to haunt all Celtic coastlines, especially in the South of England and Northern France.
Folklore Legends of the South West
The Reynardine is a werewolf of Dartmoor who attracts beautiful women to him so that he can take them away to his castle. This legend was popularised by a folk song by the band Fairport Convention.
Folklore Legends of the West Country
