Fairies fascinate young and old alike. To some they offer tantalizing glimpses of other worlds, to others a subversive counterpoint to human arrogance and weakness. Like no other author, Katharine Briggs throughout her work communicated the thrill and delight of the world of fairies, and in this book she articulated for the first time the history of that world in tradition and literature. From every period and every country, poets and storytellers have described a magical world inhabited by elfin spirits. Capricious and vengeful, or beautiful and generous, they've held us in thrall for generations. And on a summer's morn, as the dew dries softly on the grass, if you kneel and look under a toadstool, well ...

Internationally acclaimed as one of Britain's most respected folklore scholars, Katharine Briggs(1898-1980) was also one of the most popular authors in the field. These "Selected Works provide facsimile editions of her landmark writings, spanning the whole of her publishing career, from 1959 to 1980.

In 1970 Katharine Briggs published in four volumes the vast and authoritative Dictionary of British Folktales and Legends to wide acclaim. This sampler comprises the very best of those tales and legends. Gathered within, readers will find an extravagance of beautiful princesses and stout stable boys, sour-faced witches and kings with hearts of gold. Each tale is a masterpiece of storytelling, from the hilarious 'Three Sillies' to the delightfully macabre 'Sammle's Ghost'.

Fairies fascinate young and old alike; to some they offer tantalizing glimpses of other worlds, to others a subversive counterpoint to human arrogance and weakness. Like no other author, Katharine Briggs throughout her work communicated the thrill and delight of the world of fairies, and in this book she articulated for the first time the history of that world in tradition and literature. From every period and every country, poets and storytellers have described a magical world inhabited by elfin spirits. This remarkable book explores the history of these wondrous creatures, the most powerful and enchanting denizens of that enchanted place - the Little People. Capricious and vengeful, or beautiful and generous, they've held us in thrall for generations. And on a summers morn, as the dew dries softly on the grass, if you kneel and look under a toadstool, well . . .

Once upon a time a writer decided to set down the most memorable and magical tales she could find. She searched the country high and low, seeking out folktales and legends, ancient lore and modern cautionary tales. Her name was Katharine M. Briggs, and she went on to become the most important folklorist these islands have ever produced. In 1970 she published in four volumes the vast and authoritative Dictionary of British Folktales and Legends to wide acclaim. This sampler comprises the very best of those tales and legends. Gathered within you will find an extravagance of beautiful princesses and stout stable boys, sour-faced witches and kings with hearts of gold. Each tale is a masterpiece of storytelling, from the hilarious Three Sillies to the delightfully macabre Sammle's Ghost.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203217896

First published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.