Norfolk Folk Tales by Hugh Lupton

Norfolk Folk Tales Reviews

• 
  Jemima Pett

  This lovely book is a must read for anyone living in, or visiting, Norfolk, England. The tales have been lovingly garnered by Hugh Lupton, “a central figure in the British story-telling revival.” They range from the fanciful ‘once upon a time’ local stories – of the type that can be found in many British and Irish tales, and indeed in other European countries, such as the ghost who haunts a ferry crossing where he waited for his true love to join him – to what Lupton describes as ‘legendary histories’: blends of verifiable history and anecdotes that may or may not be founded on truth. These range through pre-historic, Roman (plenty of Boudicca and Iceni legends in East Anglia), mediaeval (St Edmund, the founding of Walsingham, and plenty of other kings and courtiers), right through encounters with Tudor and Stuart kings (Anne Boleyn came from Norfolk), to recent history (the Sandringham regiment’s involvement in Gallipoli).
  
  There are plenty involving legendary local characters, and many ghosts, told in a way that didn’t scare me too much, since I’m not fond of horror! Some make me want to visit the places, especially if I know them a little, but not in detail. The tale of the ossary in the Marsham church, for example – I want to see that crypt! I felt it gave me a wonderfully readable insight into the history of my county, for good or ill; the tales of weavers and silversmiths, of Angles, Saxons and Danes, and of the Fensmen in the Civil War.
  
  I was pleased to see a reference of place names at the back: it’ll provide a wonderful ‘read and explore’ for outings at any time of year. A fascinating insight into a county with plenty of history and tall (or true) tales.
  
  This book is one of a series of county folk tales from the History Press. I bought my copy on my visit to Gressenhall Museum (also highly recommended)
• 
  Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer

  Norfolk is steeped in story. Whether we are travelling along the coast, through the loam-rich farmlands, across the sandy brecklands, among the inland waterways of the broads, or over the marsh and fenlands to the west of the county; whether we are threading the Saxon and Medieval streets of Norwich, Kings Lynn or Thetford, stories are everywhere.
  
  All the events that have happened in a place, all the geological and historical interactions, are held in the grain of a landscape.

  
  
  Very well written compilation of various Norfolk folk tales which are additionally cleverly linked to landscape, locality and history.
  
  Some stories were familiar to me (the Swaffham Pedlar, the Wayland Babes in the Wood, the Sandringham Pals of Gallipoli, Old Shuck), others less so (I enjoyed Tom Hickathrift) and others more historical (for example the Grey Goose Feather about Charles I, Cromwell and the Fenmen, the legends of King Edmund and the difficult story of the first blood libel).
  
  Overall a really strong collection.
  
  

  These stories have moved in and out of print, but primarily their life has been on the tongue. They have been told and remembered, elaborated and embellished as part of a great spoken tradition. Many of the people who told them would not have been able to read or write. Like the weavers of Worsted cloth and Aylsham web, the people of Norfolk have always been skilled at spinning yarns, weaving tales and embroidering the truth.
• 
  Paul White

  Dawn bought me this book for my birthday because we're hoping to move to Norfolk later this year. And, I am glad she did. I found the structure, small chapters relating to different tales, enjoyable to read. Most of the tales were completely new to me, and as with most folk tales, to us in the Internet Age, unbelievable. However, like all folk tales the enjoyment is in message and interpretation. Worth a read in my opinion.
• 
  Brodie Rake

  Fun little collection of folk tales. Mainly read to find out more on my home towns history, including witch burnings and ghost sightings. Well written, although, as with many folk stories, many of the endings fall flat by todays standards.
• 
  Paul Groos

  Nice, but very localized stories. As I live in Holland and I've never been to Norfolk, many of the places are foreign to me. Yet, many stories have universal appeal and I can recognize many story themes from folktales from all over the world. Hugh Lupton is a very gifted writer and teller of tales.