Reviewing a New Compendium of British Folklore

A new single-volume compendium of British folklore has arrived, and it is a hefty thing: just over 700 pages, with nearly 2,000 entries. It aims to gather creatures, customs, and calendar days into one reference work. The question is whether it earns its shelf space. After a few weeks of dipping in and out, here is a practical assessment.

What the volume promises

The preface is clear about its scope. It covers England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. It does not claim to be exhaustive. Instead, it offers a representative sample of the islands' lore. The editors say they want to serve "the curious reader, the writer, and the teacher". That is a broad church, but the book mostly delivers.

There are three main sections: an A–Z of creatures and characters; a thematic guide to customs and beliefs; and a month-by-month calendar of festivals. A short introduction on storytelling conventions sets the tone. It is practical rather than romantic.

How it is organised

Clarity is the compendium's strongest suit. Each entry follows a consistent pattern: a brief definition, a paragraph or two of description, regional variants, and a line pointing to further reading. Cross-references appear in small capitals, so you can hop from "boggart" to "hobgoblin" to "brownie" without losing your way. The calendar section is equally tidy, with each date given a fixed format: name, date, region, and a short note on how it is (or was) marked.

There is a pronunciation guide for Welsh and Gaelic terms, which is a welcome touch. The index is thorough, though it separates "creatures" from "customs" in a way that occasionally frustrates. A single combined index might have been simpler.

Coverage: the broad and the thin

Strengths first. The compendium is excellent on the well-known: Black Shuck, the Mari Lwyd, the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, apple wassailing, well dressing, and the Padstow Obby Oss all get solid treatment. It also shines a light on lesser-known figures: the Nuckelavee of Orkney, the Glashtyn of the Isle of Man, and the Yallery Brown of Lincolnshire. The calendar section is a real pleasure, covering Plough Monday, St Distaff's Day, All Hallows, and the myriad May Day traditions.

Where it thins out is in the regional detail. Scotland's Gaelic traditions are present but patchy; the Hebrides get a handful of entries, while the Borders are better served. Welsh folklore is stronger, though the Mabinogion is treated as a source rather than a subject. Cornwall and the Isle of Man are well covered. The biggest gap is living tradition: modern customs such as the Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations or the growing popularity of wassailing in cities are barely mentioned. The book has a slight bias towards the past, which is understandable but worth noting.

Usefulness for writers

For writers, this is a solid first stop. The A–Z gives you the raw ingredients: a creature's habits, its weaknesses, its regional names. The calendar gives you a season's worth of settings and rituals. The cross-references help you build a web of associations. But it is not a plot generator. You will not find story prompts or narrative arcs. What you will find is accuracy and breadth, which is more valuable. Check the entry on "knockers" (Cornish mine spirits) and you get a clear sense of how they were feared and placated. That kind of detail can anchor a scene.

One caution: the book uses the term "folklore" broadly, so you will find entries on folk medicine and weather lore alongside ghosts and fairies. That is a strength, but it means you should use the index rather than browsing if you need something specific.

Usefulness for the curious reader

If you simply want to learn, the compendium is a delight to dip into. The prose is plain and warm, never academic. Each entry is short enough for a tea break, but substantial enough to teach you something. The calendar section is ideal for reading aloud on the relevant day. The illustrations, though sparse, are well chosen. The further reading lists are genuinely useful, pointing to classic works and local collections without overwhelming you.

It is not a book to read cover to cover. It is a book to keep by your chair, to answer a question, or to spark a curiosity. That is exactly what a compendium should be.

The verdict

This compendium earns its place. It is clear, well organised, and wide-ranging. It has gaps, particularly in living traditions and some regional detail, but no single volume can do everything. For writers, it is a reliable reference. For curious readers, it is a pleasure. If you want one book to sit between your dictionary and your atlas, this is a worthy choice. Just do not expect it to tell you what to do with the lore. That part is still up to you.