Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of Stories and folk-lore of West Cornwall. Third Series

Stories and folk-lore of West Cornwall. Third Series

Written by William Bottrell

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it
Fairy talesLegendsFolkloreCornish language

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

"Stories and Folk-lore of West Cornwall. Third Series" by William Bottrell is a collection of folk tales, legends, and local traditions compiled in the late 19th century. The anthology presents the beliefs, supernatural occurrences, and rural customs of Cornwall, focusing on storytelling as it was preserved among local people. Readers can expect accounts of ghosts, witches, demonic encounters, village feasts, old sports, and superstitions, reflecting the unique character and mythology of the Cornish countryside. The opening of the book sets the scene with a preface noting the author’s failing health and situates the work within the growing interest in folk-lore studies of the era. It then introduces a table of contents showing a rich mix of legends, ghost stories, supernatural events, and local customs. The initial stories describe the figure of Mr. Wood, a Rector skilled in exorcism, astrology, and community leadership, who helps his parishioners face supernatural threats. Notable tales include Jackey Trevail’s wrestling match with a devil and the exorcism of ghosts haunting an old Cornish mansion. The early chapters are lively and full of local color, ghostly encounters, Cornish dialect, and insight into both the magical and everyday realities of rural Cornwall.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Stories and folk-lore of West Cornwall. Third Series, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • mysterious
  • eerie
  • traditional

William Bottrell's "Stories and Folk-lore of West Cornwall. Third Series" is a compelling late 19th-century anthology dedicated to preserving the rich oral traditions of West Cornwall. Facing his own declining health, Bottrell meticulously compiled tales of supernatural occurrences, local customs, and everyday life, offering a unique window into the region's cultural fabric. The collection features a diverse array of narratives, from chilling ghost stories and encounters with devils and witches to descriptions of village feasts and ancient sports. Through the lens of local figures like the exorcist Rector Mr. Wood and the brave wrestler Jackey Trevail, the book explores the enduring power of belief, community, and the mystical elements interwoven with rural Cornish existence, all presented with authentic dialect and local color.

“The veil betwixt worlds is thin in West Cornwall, and many a soul has glimpsed what lies beyond.”

Key themes

Preservation of Folklore and Oral Tradition
This is the overarching theme of the entire collection. Bottrell's work is a deliberate effort to capture and record stories that were primarily transmitted orally, often facing the threat of being lost due to changing times. It highlights the value of these tales not just as entertainment but as cultural artifacts, historical records, and expressions of collective identity.
The Supernatural and Belief Systems
The book is replete with stories of ghosts, witches, devils, and other spectral entities, demonstrating that for the West Cornish folk, the supernatural was an integral, often feared, part of their reality. This theme explores how these beliefs shaped their worldview, their understanding of good and evil, and their interactions with their environment.
Regional Identity and Cornish Culture
Bottrell's collection is deeply rooted in the specific cultural identity of West Cornwall. The stories are not generic folk tales but are imbued with distinct Cornish dialect, place names, customs, and a unique blend of Celtic heritage and later influences. This theme explores how these elements contribute to a strong sense of regional pride and distinctiveness.

Worth discussing

How do the folk tales in the collection reflect the unique geographical and cultural identity of West Cornwall?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!