English folklore is the folk tradition which has developed in England over a number of centuries. Some stories can be traced back to their roots, while the origin of others is uncertain or disputed. England abounds with folklore, in all forms, from such obvious manifestations as the traditional Robin Hood tales, the Brythonic-inspired Arthurian legend, to contemporary urban legends and facets of cryptozoology such as the Beast of Bodmin Moor.
Morris dance and related practices such as the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance preserve old English folk traditions, as do Mummers Plays. Pub names may preserve folk traditions.
English folklore is largely drawn from Germanic, Celtic and Christian sources.
Whereas some traditions were once believed across the whole of England, most belong to specific regions:
Read more about English Folklore: Folklore Found Throughout Much of England, Folklore in Song, Remnants of Paganism in English Folklore, English Folklore in Other Media
Famous quotes containing the words english and/or folklore:
“The English never draw a line without blurring it.”
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965)
“Someday soon, we hope that all middle and high school will have required courses in child rearing for girls and boys to help prepare them for one of the most important and rewarding tasks of their adulthood: being a parent. Most of us become parents in our lifetime and it is not acceptable for young people to be steeped in ignorance or questionable folklore when they begin their critical journey as mothers and fathers.”
—James P. Comer (20th century)