Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland

Synopsis

Once upon a time, most of Britain and Ireland was covered in woodland. Many of the trees have been cleared, but our connection with the wildwood remains. It is a place of danger, adventure and transformation, where anything could happen. Here is a collection of traditional folk tales of oak, ash and thorn; of hunting forests and rebellion, timber and triumph in battle, wild ghosts and woodwoses. Lisa Schneidau retells some of the old stories and relates them to the trees and forests in the landscape of our islands today.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Fairy Folk

* Summary: Introduces the concept of the fairy folk, their origin, characteristics, and relationship with humans.
* Real Example: The tale of "The Leprechaun and the Shoe," where a farmer tricks a leprechaun into revealing his hidden treasure.

Chapter 2: The Elf-Women

* Summary: Explores the nature and powers of elf-women, as well as their interactions with human men.
* Real Example: The story of "The Elf-Woman of Laggan," where a young man falls in love with an elf-woman but must face the consequences of his actions.

Chapter 3: The Gruagach

* Summary: Describes the gruagach, a fearsome creature that haunts the forests and feeds on human flesh.
* Real Example: The legend of "The Gruagach of Dunmore," where a hunter encounters the monster and narrowly escapes its clutches.

Chapter 4: The Black Annis

* Summary: Introduces Black Annis, a malevolent witch who resides in caves and preys on children.
* Real Example: The story of "The Witch of Blakeney," where a young girl encounters Black Annis and manages to outwit her.

Chapter 5: The Jenny Greenteeth

* Summary: Explores the legend of Jenny Greenteeth, a water spirit who drowns children who venture too close to rivers.
* Real Example: The tale of "The Green Lady of the Pool," where a boy is saved from Jenny Greenteeth's clutches by a mysterious force.

Chapter 6: The Pooka

* Summary: Introduces the pooka, a shape-shifting trickster spirit that takes various forms and plays pranks on humans.
* Real Example: The story of "The Pooka of Derrybawn," where a farmer is tormented by a playful pooka who disguises itself as a calf.

Chapter 7: The Kelpie

* Summary: Explores the myth of the kelpie, a water horse that lures humans to their deaths by offering rides.
* Real Example: The legend of "The Water Horse of Loch Morar," where a young woman is rescued from a kelpie by her boyfriend.

Chapter 8: The Banshee

* Summary: Introduces the banshee, a female spirit who wails and laments before a death in the family.
* Real Example: The story of "The Banshee of Lisheen," where a woman hears the banshee's cry and knows that her brother is about to die.