Folklore of Sussex

Sussex, although near London and nowadays extensively urbanised, has a rich heritage of traditional local stories, customs and beliefs. Among many topics explored here are tales linked to landscape features and ancient churches which involve such colourful themes as lost bells, buried treasures, dragons, fairies and the Devil. There are also traditions relating to ghosts, graves and gibbets and the strange powers of witches. Everyday life is reflected in the customs and beliefs surrounding birth, marriage and death and in traditional cures for illness. This book, when it was first published in 1973, was the first to be entirely devoted to Sussex folklore. This new edition contains information collected over the years, updated accounts of county customs and, alongside the original line drawings, is illustrated with photographs and printed ephemera relating to Sussex lore.

Dr Jacqueline Simpson is one of Britain's most distinguished folklorists and Old Norse scholars. She studied English Literature and Old Icelandic at London University, and later became interested in Scandinavian and British folklore, on which she has written numerous books and articles. Her books include Icelandic Folktales and Legends (1972, 2004), The Folklore of Sussex (1973, 2002), British Dragons (1980, 2001), Scandinavian Folktales (1988), The Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore (2000, in collaboration with Steve Roud), The Lore of the Land: A Guide to England's Legends (2005, in collaboration with Jennifer Westwood), and The Folklore of Discworld (2008, in collaboration with Terry Pratchett). She has served on the Committee of the Folklore Society since 1966, holding office at various times as Editor of Folklore, as Secretary, and as President.