Tall Tales & Short Stories

Researched, written, illustrated and designed by Emma Prew.

TALL TALES & SHORT STORIES Delve into a land of myth and a world of imagination.

CONTENTS

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i

Foreword

7

1

What is a Myth?

Introduction

A Selection of British Myth

9 11 13

2

Myth, Legend or Folktale?

What’s What?

Folktale Legend Myth

The Many Words of Myth

23 25 26 29 31 33

3

A World of Myth

British Myth vs. the World

A Selection of World Myth

Greek Myth

Roman Myth

Norse Myth

Celtic Myth Heroes

35 37 39 40 42 44 46 49

4

Where do Myths Come From?

The Making of Myths History Metaphor

Oral Communication Word-of-Mouth

51 53 54 57 58 59

5

Is There any Truth in Myth?

Fact or Fiction?

True or False?

Myths in History

61 63 64 66

6

Urban Myth

What is an Urban Myth?

Key Characteristics

The Internet & Gossip

Superstitions

What are Superstitions?

Top 5 Superstitions Luck

71 73 75 77

8

Sayings

Phrases, Proverbs & Rhymes

Traditional Phrases Weatherlore

Warnings & Rhymes

89 91 92 96 98

9

The Importance of Myth Belief Nostalgia Storytelling

101 103 104 105

10

Extracts from A Short History of Myth

109

ii iii iv

Tales & Stories Index Illustration Index Bibliography

116 118 120

7

7

81 83 84 87

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FOREWORD This book was written to accompany the Tall Tales & Short Stories exhibition at The British Library in 2012; although it is a stand-alone book in its own right. The main aim of the exhibition was to encourage its viewers to rekindle their imaginative side, something that may have been lost in adulthood, through the idea of myth. At first focusing on British myths, including those familiar to all and stories much lesser known, the exhibition and book explore what a myth is, how it is formed and just why they are important to us.

But myths are not reserved for the British alone, every culture around the world has its own myths; they are deeply embedded in our society and have helped to shape who we are today. The stories they involve or the nostalgic feelings they evoke are powerful and significant in our lives. From legendary tales of heroes, mythical creatures and unexplained occurrences, to the superstitious beliefs and sayings we all take for granted, myths are everywhere.

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10

WHAT IS A MYTH?

11

“Mysteries are as irksome to the human mind as a grain of sand to an oyster.�

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INTRODUCTION “Human beings have always been mythmakers.”

We have always been puzzled by the wonders of the universe, using our imagination as an attempt to understand. Like our ancestors were sensitive to the fears and uncertainties of their time, we too are dependent on our imaginative minds to explain what is beyond our knowledge.

“Human beings have always been mythmakers.”

There are many different interpretations of the term “myth”, but there are two main meanings for the word: 1. A myth is a traditional story, particularly one concerning the history of early people or explaining some sort of phenomenon and/or supernatural occurrence.

2. The term “myth” can also be used to refer to something that might be believed by some people but is generally understood to be untrue. A misinterpretation of the truth or an exaggerated idea.

This first meaning for “myth” has several levels. Myths often concern supernatural beings or question our existence – seeking to explain origin.

Different cultures have different myths that make sense to them, but it is 13

true that all human beings like to ask questions and seek answers. These myths are passed on from generation to generation, often simply by word-of-mouth. “There is never a single, orthodox version of a myth.” The stories may change but the spirit of human imagination remains.

We have always created stories that go beyond our everyday experiences.

Whether they be tales that aim to solve mysteries or simply expressions of what the human imagination is capable of, myths are embedded in our lives. Many myths make no sense, while others are adaptations and extensions of actual historic events. Some myths are seen as the solution to otherwise unexplained problems, but sometimes the myth itself cannot be explained rationally.

However, today the term “myth” has come to describe something that is fictional or false, often in comparison to historical fact. With gaining knowledge, we have developed a somewhat scientific view of history; people have begun to disregard myths as simply false information. But mythology and science both extend the scope of human beings – “timeless in human existence.” Mythology does not claim that its tales are objective fact; it is not an early attempt at history but a kind of immortal narrative.

The word “myth” originates from the Greek “mythos” which actually means “word” or “story”, which suggests that a myth can in fact be true or false – fact or fiction. “A myth is true because it is effective, not because it gives us factual information.” Even today, some myths are not easily explained – true or false.

Myths create imaginary worlds and characters, and they bring them to life. A myth can create endless possibilities; our most essential fears and desires.

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A SELECTION OF BRITISH MYTHS Some you might know, and some you might not…

Extracts from the Reader’s Digest book “Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain”.

15

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THE OLD GODS “On cloud-shrouded hillsides and wild moorlands, the aura of ancient gods linger still.”

A broken circle of stones, the outline of a giant cut in chalk upon a hill, names of cities and villages are all vivid reminders of the many forms of Pagan worship in early Britain. Long before man conceived gods in his own likeness, men worshipped still pools, rushing rivers, curiously shaped rocks and lonely gnarled trees. The awe of natural forms was retained for thousands of years, even when man created idols in human and animal form. The religious significance of great stone monuments such as Stonehenge still remains a mystery. No one can say for certain that there were gods or greater powers associated with them, but just how such huge rock formations were crafted is unknown.

The Celts set high standards for their deities. The gods of a tribe had to be an all-purpose being, accomplished in every human activity. They had to be physically strong, intellectual and fertile; skilled in argument, mighty in war, a dealer of death and a restorer of life. Throughout Britain, place names give clues to the worship of many Celtic gods. Among them were the families of Don and Llyr, who were in constant conflict. Don was a goddess that symbolised heaven, life and light while the people of Llyr symbolised the sea, darkness and death. Llyr became King Lear in Shakespeare’s tragedy; the principal place of his worship, Leicester (Llyrcester), was named after him.

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WHO WERE THE FAIRIES? Many explanations have been given to account for belief in fairies. Some believers have thought that fairies are a special creation, and that they exist in their own right. Others have said that fairies, like ghosts, are spirits of the dead. According to another tradition, fairies were fallen angels, neither wicked enough for Hell nor good enough for Heaven.

Many of the traditions associated with fairies are uniquely British, and one explanation is that they may have evolved from far-off memories of a Stone Age race which once lived in these islands. When Celtic invaders arrived in Britain, they drove the original inhabitants into remote hills and caves. As the years passed, it may well have seemed to the conquerors that there was an uncanny quality in the people they had displaced. They were small and dark; they lived underground; they were secret people whose skill at hiding in the woods seemed to give them the power of invisibility. Long after the race died out, the memory of these characteristics lived on in Celtic tales about fairies.

Many theories explain part, but not all, of the fairy faith. Certainly, some fairies are memories of ancient pagan gods and nature spirits. Others may have developed out of early attempts to explain the strange happenings now associated with poltergeists – a ghost of supernatural being. In the end, only one thing is certain: fairies, whatever the truth about their origins may be, have the ability to survive.

They may be shadowy and elusive, as they always have been, but fairies are also indestructible.

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LOST LANDS & CITIES Though geologists affirm that the western coasts of Britain have changed very little since men first inhabited these islands, it is this part of the country that tales of sunken cities and drowned lands persist most strongly.

A traditional Welsh story is that of Tyno Helig, a once-prosperous land submerged beneath Conway Bay. The tale tells of the drowning of Tyno Helig, which was brought about by Prince Helig’s daughter when she persuaded her penniless lover to murder a rich nobleman. When the couple married, on the proceeds, a ghostly voice promised to avenge the murder upon the fourth generation of their descendants. The prophecy was fulfilled when the four generations were gathered together at Lys Helig. The sea burst over the land in a great flood and Tyno Helig was lost forever.

This story is typical of legends of lands lost beneath the sea because of divine revenge upon the foolish inhabitants. Such lands are always described as being rich and fertile. Lost church bells are said to be heard tolling beneath the sea for centuries afterwards.

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BEASTS IN HERALDRY “Animals, real and mythical, are used frequently in heraldry and have some general significance.”

The best-known, or at least the most frequently represented, of fabulous beasts are those which support the coats of arms of families and cities. Griffins (half-eagle and half-lion), bagwyns (half-horse, half-goat) and pantheons, which are panthers whose hides are marked with stars, are popular in heraldry. But few of these hybrid creatures are of British origin.

Even the unicorn, which together with its traditional enemy, the lion, supports the royal coat of arms and appears on pound coins, has only one native species. The Baiste-na-scoghaigh of Skye is a great, one-horned creature which has very little in common with the graceful unicorn of mythology, but is Britain’s only real claim to the creature!

Although, we don’t have lions in Britain either.

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MYTH, LEGEND OR FOLKTALE?

25

“Our overall understanding is that all of these traditional stories are good stories, mostly works of fiction but containing some important truths or metaphors.�

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WHAT’S WHAT? “Myths are ancient truths of the past.”

There is much confusion over what actually classes as a myth, a legend or a folktale, and sometimes they can all be used to label the same story or idea.

A general definition states that myths, legends and folktales are all traditional stories, but of different kinds. Dividing them into different categories could simply be regarded as a useful tool for grouping particular stories together.

William Bascom considers myths to be “ancient truths of the past” within the society that they belong to, whilst he thinks of legends as the myth’s more contemporary counterpart. Folktales, he says, are simply imaginative stories to be regarded as fiction.

But the general opinion is a little different.

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FOLKTALE Folktales can be set at any time – long ago in the past or in more recent times. As the title suggests, folktales are simply tales, or stories, of the people. Folktales concern the traditional beliefs, customs and stories of a community, passed on through the generations.

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THE DEVIL’S FOOTPRINTS In 1855, Britain suffered an exceptionally hard winter. In Devon the river Exe was iced over at Exeter, and birds standing in the shallow water of the estuary were sometimes frozen into the ice. On one February morning, after a fall of 2 inches of snow and a severe frost, people emerged from their homes to discover strange footprints leading in single file across the frozen countryside. Most reports said the marks resembled those of a donkey’s hooves, but with each print 8 inches apart, one in front of the other, it seemed more typical of a two-legged creature.

The trail of footprints was said to go on for almost 100 miles. At once, it was suggested that the footprints had been made by the Devil himself.

Several newspapers made careful investigations. Although on the whole they made light of the story, attempts to offer a logical explanation were not aided by differing descriptions and drawings supplied by “witnesses”. Closer investigation revealed that the trail was made in several nights, rather than one, which explained the length. The trail was also not always the same, and in some places it was not clear at all.

Whatever the explanation of the strange trail, there were many village people who for a long time refused to stir from their homes after sunset. They were convinced that the Devil had singled out Devon for his special attention.

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THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION Though the tales of Arthur and his knights jousting for the hands of fair ladies were highly popular with medieval aristocracy, the stories were too far removed from the lives of ordinary people, who chose instead a hero after their own hearts.

This was Robin Hood, the yeoman turned outlaw who defied the unpopular game laws, who outwitted authority at every turn and who robbed the rich and gave to the poor. Robin was the ideal villain with a heart of gold, but in later centuries his mantle fell upon the unlikeliest successors.

There was Dick Turpin, the London butcher turned cattle-thief and highwayman.

A highwayman was a man, typically on horseback, who held up rich travellers at gunpoint in order to rob them. They were sometimes considered to be knights or gentlemen of the road. Although there are stories that show Turpin’s image as a popular hero, even Turpin’s famous breakneck rise to York to establish an alibi was actually performed by another highwayman, named Swift Nicks, a century earlier. Still, Turpin made a good end. When he was hanged at York in 1739, he bowed to the ladies and threw himself off the ladder. The mob were so delighted by his performance that they stole his body and buried it quickly to prevent it being sold to the anatomists.

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LEGEND Legends are stories that are traditionally considered to be true, although not necessarily historically certified. The word “legend� can also be used to describe a famous or notorious person in history, with this in mind, legends are usually the most well known and popular of all traditional stories.

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MYTH The term “myth� is generally applied to stories containing superhuman characters or supernatural events, whilst legends feature legendary people.

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ST LEONARD’S DRAGON About half-way between Horsham and Pease Pottage in Sussex are the Lily Beds, an area of St Leonard’s Forest where lilies-of-the-valley grow wild. By tradition, the flowers have grown there ever since St Leonard slew a fearsome dragon in the 6th century. The saint was wounded during the fight and wherever his blood fell lilies sprang up. But apparently, St Leonard did not free the forest of dragons, as three local villagers claimed to have come across a strange and monstrous serpent in 1614, and rumours of hideous creatures lurking among the trees lingered on until well into the 19th century.

According to villagers, the dragon was said to be over 9 foot long, thick in the middle and thin at the end with red scales on its belly, black ones on its back and a ring of white markings around its neck. It had large feet and marks on its sides that some thought would, in time, grow into wings. The dragon was reputedly able to spit deadly venom and it was held responsible for the deaths of two people.

Neither history nor legend tell what eventually happened to the creature.

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Our overall understanding is that all of these traditional stories are good stories, mostly works of fiction but containing some important truths or metaphors.

It is really up to the user to interpret how they wish. A story can resonate differently with a different kind of person.

“Thus whether any truth comes across to a person, or he finds the myth meaningless, all depends upon how it is read.�

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THE MANY WORDS OF MYTH The word “myth� itself has many other words that stem from it:

Mythic Mythical Mythicise

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(adjective) relating to or resembling myth. Exaggerated or idealised. (adjective) occurring in or characteristic of myths or folktales. (verb) turn into myth; interpret mythically.

Mythify

(verb) mythicise.

Mytho-

(combining form) relating to myth.

Mythography

(noun) the representation of myths, the creation or collection of myths.

Mythology

(noun) a collection of myths belonging to a particular cultural tradition.

Mythomania

(noun) an abnormal or pathological tendency to exaggerate or tell lies.

Mythopoeia

(noun) the making of a myth or myths.

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BRITISH OR WORLD MYTH?

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“To understand a myth is to understand its purpose, its significance.�

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WORLD MYTH VS. BRITISH MYTH The content in this book aims to focus on British myths but do these myths that we take to be “British� actually originate from here at all? Many myths have their routes in different cultures entirely, whilst many countries and cultures have quite similar myths with slightly different characters and settings.

In the first place, myths are stories. In every culture and every country, during every period of the time from Ancient Egypt to the modern United States, people have told stories. Of these, perhaps the most captivating have been the sacred stories handed down as part of religions, as well as the narratives that explain and define the great acts of nations and people: mythology in a strict sense refers to these. Usually these accounts are so old that their origins are shrouded in mystery.

For us modern readers, part of their appeal is in their evocation of a long-gone era in which member of communities shared the same values and guided their lives by the stories they told. Rooted as we are in the ever-shifting, diverse, multifaceted world of the twenty-first century, we turn to mythology first for the entertainment value of a good story. Our impulse is sound: in the treasure house of mythological stories, we readily find the entertainment we are seeking.

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“The spiritual world is such an immediate and compelling reality that, the indigenous people believe, it must once have been more accessible to human beings. In every culture, we find the myth of a lost paradise, in which humans lived in close and daily contact with the divine. They were immortal, and lived in harmony with one another, with animals and with nature.�

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A SELECTION OF WORLD MYTHS Greek, Roman, Norse and Celtic myths from the past‌

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GREEK MYTH The Greeks worshipped many different gods. The gods often represented different forms of nature. Their mythology had no set structure. Although there were various festivals held in honour of the gods; there was no sacred book or code of conduct to live by.

The most powerful Greek gods were known as the Olympians, these are the most well-known in popular culture today. The Greeks believed the Olympians lived on the highest mountain in Greece, Mount Olympus.

The Olympian gods included: Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite, Athena, Hades and Poseidon.

Greek mythology is interesting. The stories are colourful, with moral lessons for those who want them and puzzles to mull over. “You can find profound human truths and the basics of our western culture.�

Greek mythology tells stories of gods, goddesses, other immortals, demigods, monsters and mythical creatures, extraordinary heroes, and sometimes just ordinary people.

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THESEUS & THE MINOTAUR “The minotaur was half man and half bull.�

King Minos hated the Athenians because they had killed his son. He ordered that every four years nine youths should be sent to Crete to feed the minotaur.

The minotaur was half man and half bull and he lived in the labyrinth under the palace. King Aegeus of Athens was so angry by this that he promised that he would go and try to kill the minotaur. Instead Theseus, his son went.

Ariadne, daughter of King Minos fell in love with Theseus and decided to help him. She sneaked past the guards and gave him a long ball of string and a sword.

As he entered the maze he started to unwind the string. Eventually Theseus came to the lair of the minotaur and had a terrible, ferocious battle with the minotaur.

The minotaur died and Theseus was able to find his way out of the maze by being able to follow his string trail.

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ROMAN MYTH The Romans had their own local gods, but when they learned about other gods they often adopted them themselves or combined them with the closest god or goddess in their evolving pantheon.

The vegetation goddess, Venus, became the equivalent of the Greek love and beauty goddess Aphrodite. The god Mars, whom the Romans esteemed, became associated with the almost despised war god of the Greeks, Ares.

The Romans also adopted the gods of their neighbours, the Etruscans and Celts. The Romans usually treated their traditional narratives as historical, even when these have supernatural elements. The stories are often concerned with politics and morality, and how an individual’s personal integrity relates to his or her responsibility to the community. Heroism is an important theme.

While Roman mythology may lack a body of divine narratives as extensive as that found in Greek literature, Romulus and Remus suckling the she-wolf is as famous as any image from Greek mythology. “Because Latin literature was more widely known in Europe throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, the interpretations of Greek myths by the Romans often had the greater influence on narrative and pictorial representations of ‘classical mythology’ than Greek sources.”

And of course, we have the Roman gods to thank for the names of the planets in our solar system.

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ROMULUS & REMUS The ancient Romans loved to hear the story of Romulus and Remus. In their eyes, this story explained why Rome had the right to rule.

According to the legend, Romulus and Remus justified their right to rule because their mother was a princess and their father was the war god Mars. Rhea was married to Mars, the Roman god of war, and they had twin sons. She loved her boys, but there were plots afoot by other gods and goddesses to harm her family. To protect the boys, she set them adrift on the river, hoping someone would find them.

Sure enough, first they were found by a she-wolf who fed them. Then a shepherd and his wife adopted the boys. As the twins grew older, they decided they did not want to take care of sheep. They wanted to be kings.

They decided to build a city on the shores of the Tiber. They both wanted to be the only king. They quarrelled. In a fit of rage, Romulus picked up a rock, killed his brother, and made himself king. And that is how Rome was formed.

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NORSE MYTH Norse mythology is the pre-Christian stories of Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic and Danish people and has influences from Indo-European and Shamanistic beliefs. Norse mythology is still very much a mystery today, but what is known is that the Vikings believed in it prolifically. Vikings were very scared of their gods; the power they handed over to them was enormous and enough to control most of their lives in many ways.

The main god for all Vikings was Odin – who was the father of all other gods, although an exact number of the gods in Norse mythology is unknown.

It was the Norse gods who, supposedly, led Vikings into conquering many parts of Europe.

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ODIN: RULER OF THE GODS When the Vikings came to Britain they had their own pagan religion. They worshipped many gods. The old stories they told about gods, giants and monsters are known as Norse myths. In one story, Thor, the god of thunder, tries to prove his strength to the Giant King by attempting to lift a giant cat. But he could only lift one of its paws!

Odin was the ruler of the gods, and the god of magic, poetry and war. His wife was the motherly Frigg, and their son was Balder, who was kind and gentle.

Freyja was goddess of love and fertility, and wept golden tears when she was unhappy. She had a twin brother Freyr, and their sacred animal was the boar.

Red-headed Thor ruled the skies, storms and thunder. He had iron gloves, a magic belt and a hammer. People loved Thor but did not trust Loki, the mischievous ‘“rickster god”. By a trick, Loki caused the death of Balder.

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CELTIC MYTH Celtic mythology is what most British myth stems from. Adventure, heroism, romance, and magic are a few of the elements that make it one of the most captivating mythologies of Europe. Once powerful people who dominated much of Europe, the Celts were reduced to a few small groups after the Roman invasions. However, their mythology survived, thanks largely to the efforts of medieval Irish and Welsh monks who wrote down the stories.

The ancient Celts had a vibrant mythology made up of hundreds of tales.

However, they did not record their myths in writing, instead they were passed on orally. Our knowledge of the gods, heroes, and villains of Celtic mythology comes from other sources – mainly Roman. But because the Romans and Celts were battlefield enemies, Roman descriptions of Celtic beliefs were often unfavourable.

The Celts worshiped a variety of gods who appeared in their tales. Most were all-powerful local deities rather than gods with specialised roles. Each tribe had its own god, who protected and provided for the welfare of that tribe.

Magic, magicians and the supernatural played a significant role in Celtic mythology. A common theme was the magic cauldron. The cauldron of plenty was never empty and supplied great quantities of food. The cauldron of rebirth brought slain warriors to life again. Myrddin, a magician in the Welsh tales, later became Merlin in the Arthurian legends.

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TRISTAN & ISOLDE “Tristan, the nephew of King Mark of Cornwall, was a symbol of bravery and honour.”

The king of Ireland sent a champion named Morholt to demand tribute from Cornwall. Tristan killed Morholt, leaving a broken piece of his sword in the fatal wound, but Tristan was wounded as well. When the wound did not heal, the young knight sought help from an Irish princess named Isolde who was skilled in healing.

On his return to Cornwall, he praised Isolde so highly that King Mark resolved to marry her. Loyal and obedient to his uncle and king, Tristan agreed to return to Ireland and seek Isolde’s hand for Mark. In Ireland, Tristan found that the country was being terrorised by a fearsome dragon. Tristan killed the beast and Isolde nursed him back to health after the fight, once again. Tristan had endeared himself to the Irish people by killing the dragon, so Isolde agreed to marry King Mark.

Isolde’s mother had prepared a magical drink for Isolde to share with Mark – a potion that would make them love each other forever. During the voyage to Cornwall Isolde and Tristan drank the potion, not knowing what it was, and fell deeply in love. Although Isolde went through with the marriage to Mark, she could not stop loving Tristan, and he was fated to love her in return. They tried to keep their passion a secret, but eventually it became known. In the end, Tristan fled from Cornwall in despair.

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HEROES Heroes are common in all myths all over the world. “He fights monsters, climbs inaccessible mountains, traverses dark forests and, in the process, dies to his old self, and gains a new insight or skill, which he brings to his people.�

Heroes can be great kings or leaders, they can be divine benefactors who provide human beings with their needs, or they can be humble figures who live on the edges of society. There are many theories about the meaning of the hero’s deeds. They show us how to conquer the wilderness, how to perform our duties in society, how to become a great leader, or how to honour the gods. While heroes represent the heights that humans can accomplish, the quests of heroes are not merely to be imitated. They have more than the inward path that must be taken by every human being.

As we encounter heroes from mythologies spanning great distances and more than fifty centuries, we can see for ourselves that the characteristics that defined these heroes have endured and are still relevant today.

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“When people told these stories about the heroes of their tribe, they were not simply hoping to entertain their listeners. The myth tells us what we have to do if we want to become a fully human person. Every single one of us has to be a hero at some time in our lives.”

FAMOUS HEROES Moses Cyrus the Great Tristan

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The Biblical leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt.

The king of Anshan in who conquered Media in 550 BCE. The knight of King Arthur’s court.

Romulus

The mythical founder of Rome.

Hercules

The Greek hero.

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WHERE DO MYTHS COME FROM?

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“The ancients tended to view things as persons, not as mere objects; they described natural events as acts of personal gods, thus giving rise to myths.�

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THE MAKING OF MYTHS “Muthopoiia, from muthos (myth) + poiein (make).”

The word “mythopoeia” means the making of myths. There are several theories as to how myths are actually formed, which can each be considered correct depending on the specific myth.

Some people believe that myths are the result of personification of inanimate objects and forces, such as the worship of the elements that have evolved to be interpreted as gods. “The ancients tended to view things as persons, not as mere objects; they described natural events as acts of personal gods, thus giving rise to myths.”

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HISTORY One theory claims that myths are actually distorted accounts of historical events. This is easy to believe as most myths are buried in the past; with the way in which myths are passed on, there is definitely room for elaboration on historic fact.

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THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS This battle, on an autumn day in 1066, saw Harold lose his crown to William the Conqueror, and a long-cherished pattern of English life swept away forever.

Harold’s was a short and harassed reign; yet he proved to be an able leader.

William challenged him for the crown by virtue of a distant kinship with Edward the Confessor, and maintained that his rival was an usurper who had taken advantage of the dying king’s feeble mindedness to claim the crown for himself.

Without delay, Harold rushed south to meet his latest enemy near Hastings.There on October 14th, according to the traditional story, he was struck in the eye by an arrow during a day-long battle and fell fatally wounded. Long after Harold had been struck down, and all hope of victory had gone, his bodyguards and kinsmen fought on around their fallen leader until the last man was slain. There are many mythical elements surrounding the Battle of Hastings including the sighting of Halley’s comet.

The events of the battle are recorded on the Bayeux Tapestry but the authenticity of the story is unverified and many parts don’t seem quite true.

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ARTHUR OF AVALON “A warrior chieftain of the Dark Ages who came to the throne of a romantic kingdom.”

Departing, sorely wounded, for the Isle of Avalon, the legendary King Arthur made a promise: that whenever his people needed him, he would return. As always, he kept faith, for even if he has never returned in the physical sense, there is no doubt that for 1500 years he has constantly provided fresh inspiration to poets, artists, musician and even kings. The 6th-century British warrior leader who held back the dark forces of marauding invaders and united his people, stands forever as an example of wisdom, tolerance, chivalry and all the virtues of leadership.

To some, Arthur was a champion of Christendom; to others, the inspiration of hard-pressed soldiers. Early medieval minstrels made him the central figure of a group of legends they called The Matter of Britain. No hero is more widely known, yet despite intensive research, the question remains: who was Arthur?

Most modern historians agree that he did exist, though that he probably wasn’t a king. Possibly he was a Celtic cavalry leader, but whoever Arthur was, he made for a great story.

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METAPHOR Another theory claims that: “Myths began as metaphors for natural phenomena.�

Myths can be interpreted as allegories; stories that can be understood to reveal hidden meaning and symbolic value.

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ORAL COMMUNICATION As for how myths actually become known and circulate, this is generally down to oral communication methods. Oral tradition and oral lore concerns cultural material and traditions that are transmitted verbally from one generation to another. Messages are verbally transmitted in speech and generally take the form of folktales, sayings or rhymes. Once again, this is where the meanings of myth and folktale intersect. These oral methods of communication are a means to pass on knowledge and history across generations without using a writing system.

The collection of such knowledge and historical information, or sometimes simply fictional stories such as myths, is known collectively as oral history.

Historians aim to record all information that had previously only been known in the minds of specific members of a community.

“The method in which myths and stories are actually passed on takes on the term word-of-mouth.�

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WORD-OF-MOUTH “Word-of-mouth” is spoken language, usually informal or unofficial. It is the passing of information from one person to another.

“If successful, information can be passed on for years and years and through many generations.”

Storytelling is the oldest form of communication. Whether it is a true story or a complete work of fiction, whether you are the storyteller or the person listening, everyone loves a good story.

Word-of-mouth plays a very important role in folklore and mythology, without it we would not know the things we do today and would not have such vibrant and imaginative stories. The word-of-mouth tradition ensures that cultural heritage is not lost and that knowledge continues to be passed on from generation to generation.

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IS THERE ANY TRUTH IN MYTH?

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“Myths claim to answer great and not-so-great scientific, philosophical and spiritual questions. Such as: how did the earth get here?

Who are the gods? And where did that rock come from?�

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FACT OR FICTION? As the word “myth” has evolved to simply being applied to things that are generally untrue or works of fiction, it is hard to believe that there is any truth in myths. But there must be some elements of truth or else where does it all come from, and why do so many people believe it?

One opinion is that myths are “symbolically true but factually and literally false.”

So that means that the messages they provide are true, but the actual stories and ideas are untrue. This works with the idea of myths being metaphors.

Some myths claim to answer philosophical questions about human life and origin. Often these answers have been proved incorrect by science, yet they are still considered genuine second opinions.

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TRUE OR FALSE? “A myth is a lie – true or false? Actually, the most general definition of myth found in most dictionaries is something like, ‘A popular belief or story.’ In other words, it can be true or false.”

Some things that are regarded as myth may well be true; on the other hand there are however many things that are widely believed to be true but are in fact false.

In 2007, Steve Gillman did a little bit of research into some popular beliefs to find out whether they were actually true or false.

Antibacterial soap is more hygienic than regular soap.*

*FALSE. There have been absolutely no studies to prove that antibacterial soap is any better than normal soap.

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Mount Everest is the highest mountain.*

*This is TRUE and FALSE, depending on how you classify “highest”. Is sea level taken into account? If so, it is FALSE.

Clothing sizes vary by manufacturer.*

*This is TRUE. The manufacturers know that people want to be happy in themselves, so if they have to lie to them to do it that’s okay. At least they feel better.

“Wheat bread” is healthier.*

*FALSE, there is often only enough wheat to make the bread

brown and appear healthier. Again, it keeps people happy rather than healthy.

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MYTHS IN HISTORY History holds some very significant myths, or rather untruths, that are genuinely taken as fact. With repetition, if enough people acknowledge something it is often assumed that it must be true. There are “myths” that have misled and misinformed people for years, decades and even centuries.

And despite them being false, people still believe such misconceptions today.

Falsities and complete works of fiction are spread; just because the original person who said it believed it or wanted it to be true many people will take their word for it.

“It is said that those who don’t know history are condemned to repeat it.”

Many of these are famous stories – good stories – but they probably never happened. They are just good inventions of the human imagination. But why have these stories been allowed to circulate? Many are considered landmarks in history, but what truth is actually in them? Apparently very little.

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Newton was hit by an apple.*

*This never happened! If you actually think about it, how absurd does it sound?

Marie Antoinette said “let them eat cake�.*

*Someone else said this when Marie Antoinette was 11 years old. They were simply some infamous words spread by propagandists.

Van Gogh sliced off his ear.*

*It was actually just part of one lobe, not nearly as bad as you might think.

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Edison invented the light bulb.*

*This was “a major achievement”, but not the first, he just perfected it.

Walter Raleigh introduced potatoes and tobacco to England.*

*It had already been done!

Captain Cook discovered Australia.*

*“One of the greatest myth figures to ever come from England” - every reason for his fame is untrue or exaggerated – fiction.

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Columbus proved that the earth was round.*

*Only for himself, many people already knew it was.

Shakespeare wrote the story of Hamlet.*

*Shakespeare only adapted the story.

Jesus was born on 25th December.*

*There is absolutely no evidence in the Bible or otherwise. It is thought he was born in September.

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Newton was hit by an apple.*

Marie Antoinette said “let them eat cake�.*

Van Gogh slice off his ear.*

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URBAN MYTH

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“Albeit synonymous in common parlance with ‘false belief ’, the term ‘urban legend’ is meant to denote a more subtle and complex social phenomenon.”

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WHAT IS AN URBAN MYTH? “A second-hand story of doubtful authenticity.”

An urban myth or, as they are generally more commonly known, an urban legend is a second-hand story of doubtful authenticity. They are often just about plausible enough to be believed, and they are meant to be believed – through skillful storytelling. Urban legends are often framed as “cautionary tales” or warnings so as to deter people from doing certain things. Such as something a mother might tell her child to deter them from leaving the playground or going into the woods – “There are big cats!” or the more subtle, less believable (although probably not if you are a child), “Bogeymen!”

It is a contemporary form of folk narrative; the handed-down beliefs, stories and customs of ordinary people – the folk. Urban legends emerge spontaneously and are rarely traceable to a single point of origin, often spread so quickly by so many people that it is difficult to know who heard it first. But there is always an opinion that it came from a trustworthy source or friend of a friend such as “my sister’s boyfriend’s brother”.

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Urban legends, like myths of old, are generally spread by word-of-mouth, from individual to individual but take on a form more similar to modern day gossip than traditional myth. With modern day comes modern technology and new ways to spread information. The internet, particularly social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, provide instant platforms for urban legends to spread. As well as this they may be reported on the news or feature in television programmes – even if the programme is fictional, people believe that it must be based on true ideas.

Urban legends change over time meaning no two versions are ever alike.

Some urban legends appear across countries with slight differences. Big cats or beastly creatures sighted near British villages sound remarkably similar to alligator sightings in the US.

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KEY CHARACTERISTICS Whether they have been created entirely from the imagination or have some truth to them, urban legends generally exhibit key characteristics:

• • • • • • •

a narrative, or story alleged to be true just plausible enough to be believed indeterminate origin the urban legend varies passed on by individual to individual from a trustworthy second-hand source If you can hardly believe it is true then the chances are it is a load of rubbish.

There was a theory that you can make up anything on the internet and there will be people that believe it. No matter how utterly ridiculous the idea may seem, there are enough people on the internet for at least a fractionto believe it!

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THE INTERNET & GOSSIP These are just a few of the urban myths, most spread through the internet and gossip, that are entirely false but people believe to be true.

You accidentally swallow 8 spiders a year in your sleep.*

*A key example of a myth spread on the internet. Spiders are too

cautious to go anywhere near a human mouth – they don’t want to be eaten.

You only use 10% of your brain.*

*We’re not that lazy!

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Men think about sex every 7 seconds.*

*If this was true, men wouldn’t get anything done.

You must wait 30 minutes after eating before swimming.*

*You wouldn’t wait 30 minutes after eating before walking?

It’s the same.

The suicide rate rises at Christmas.*

*Actually it decreases, people are generally happier at Christmas.

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Just like chinese whispers, stories are misinterpreted and changed over time.

What might have begun as true and meaning one thing could evolve into something completely different. There is often no scientific research to back up urban legend claims.

What would it take to create your own urban legend?

How difficult would it be to get people to believe you?

Do you remember when you were a child and your mother used to say “Eat your carrots, they make you see in the dark” or “If you eat the crusts of your bread your hair will go curly”? Those are very much like urban myths.

Many people still believe that carrots can aid your eye sight – they don’t, but if you eat enough you might turn orange.

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SUPERSTITIONS

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“To believe in them too deeply is foolish, because that is to carry unnecessarily a burden of ancient fears.�

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WHAT IS A SUPERSTITION? “Living relics of ways of thought much older than our own.”

Superstitions are excessively credulous beliefs once strongly held but now mostly abandoned and forgotten. Absurd as most superstitions seem they have given us present knowledge; fears and desires of the past are hidden in modern ideas and prejudices today.

Because life was so different long ago, people believed very different things and superstitions seemed more rational. It now seems undoubtedly irrational to believe such things. However, they still have the power to influence us – how many times have you felt the need to “touch wood” after stating something with confidence? Why do we doubt ourselves and feel the need to counteract whatever “bad luck” we might have brought on ourselves?

Most people would deny believing in magic but have no problem following superstitions.

“Present day superstitions are fragmentary remains of forgotten faiths and systems of thought left behind.” People follow superstitions without really even thinking about it, they have a vague idea that what they are doing concerns luck. But, we are opening our minds to fears long lost in history. Why? 85

TOP FIVE SUPERSTITIONS Saluting a magpie Animals and superstitions have long gone hand in hand, as with black cats, magpies are also considered bringers of bad luck. It is seen as unlucky to see just one magpie by itself. One magpie is a sign of sorrow, because it has lost its mate; hence the rhyme, One for sorrow, two for joy…

However, with some superstitions it is possible to counteract the bad luck by performing a specific action. When sighting a lone magpie, you must show it respect and salute it, in the hope that the magpie will not pass on its misfortune. Magpies have long had a bad reputation; their natural mischievous character has lead them to gain a general dislike from humans. In fact, some people believe a lone magpie brings a sign of death! But never fear, once again the magpie has different significance in different cultures, in China the name of the bird translates to “happiness magpie” and is a sign of good luck.

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Black cat crossing your path This is an old superstition rooted in the legends of witchcraft and follows the idea that it is bad luck if a black cat walks in front of you.

In extreme cases it is considered a great dark omen or it is believed that the cat itself is a “demon in disguise”. It is a mystery as to where this particular superstition actually originated from, but despite this, people do believe it. There are actually lots of superstitions centred around cats, some are fairly similar whilst some contradict each other completely. For example in Scotland it is thought that a black cat will bring prosperity, and in Ireland killing a cat will supposedly bring a huge 17 years of bad luck. Depending on the country or culture, sighting a black cat could be considered unlucky or, in fact, extremely lucky. In Japan for example, a very much cat-loving country, it is certainly a lucky sight to see a black cat.

So why not take on the Japanese point of view and be lucky?

Spilling salt is bad luck Today spilling salt is not considered a major crime but salt used to be a very precious commodity. It is thought that this might be the reason for the invention of the salt spilling superstition. To prevent people from being careless and wasting the precious seasoning, spilling salt was considered unlucky. But, like with saluting magpies, there is a way to prevent the bad luck. The salt spiller must throw the salt over their left shoulder – very specific. It is not known why it is the left shoulder in particular, but apparently if done immediately this action works as a shield for the bad luck!

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The number 13 Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13, and is not an uncommon phobia to suffer from. Many people in many cultures have an irrational dislike towards the number 13, it has been drilled into our heads that it is the unluckiest of all numbers. Some businesses even take the superstition so far as to leave the number 13 off of the options in their lifts – “the 14th floor is still the 13th, masquerading under another name.” Once again, the origin of this superstition is unknown but it is thought that it could be related to Christian beliefs. At the Last Supper Jesus sat in the 13th seat attributing a curse to be associated with being the 13th person. The superstitious fear of Friday the 13th also stems from Christianity – Jesus died on a Friday.

But regardless of religious beliefs, people still have a genuine fear of the number 13.

Breaking a mirror is bad luck There are many superstitions surrounding mirrors, the most common and famous of which is that breaking a mirror brings bad luck. Mirrors are odd objects, showing what we actually look like rather than what we imagine we look like. This can be unsettling. It was especially surreal long ago when mirrors were not commonplace. Mirrors were not cheap and attaching the idea of bad luck ensured that they were treated with care and not broken; the idea caught on. So even today, when it is common to have multiple mirrors in the home, breaking one is thought to cause an immense 7 years of bad luck.

As we have established, it is difficult to pinpoint particular origins for superstitions. So why is it that we believe such things can cause bad luck?

What is “luck” anyway?

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LUCK: GOOD & BAD “Behind the one word ‘luck’ lie the shadows of forgotten religions and of social systems which have long since been abandoned.”

Luck is a matter of failure or success that is determined completely by chance – you cannot control it. However, it can be said that you can have both good and bad luck. Good luck or good fortune results in positive outcomes while bad luck is, obviously, the opposite. People that believe in superstitions believe that certain things can sway their luck. But not all superstitions result in misfortune and bad luck.

It is said that a rabbit’s foot brings good luck and finding a four-leaf clover or horse shoe is considered particularly lucky. Also, for all the superstitions that treat cats unfavourably, they are said to have nine lives themselves – if that’s not lucky then what is?

Whether you believe superstitions or not, they are deeply embedded in our lives.

“But to understand them and seek out their true meaning and origin, gives us a deeper knowledge of human nature in general.”

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90

SAYINGS

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“Many verses have their roots deep in mythology and legend.�

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PHRASES, PROVERBS & RHYMES There are hundreds of sayings, phrases, proverbs and rhymes that are rooted in our language and culture. These, much like myths, have been passed on by word-of-mouth rather than actually being written down; many of the true meanings are lost but they remain a kind of poetry of the ages. “Old habits do not die so easily.� Traditional sayings offer links to the past that cannot otherwise be matched; while some buildings, books and ideas from the past have lost their purpose, the oral rhyme has remained a part of our lives. It is something we can relate to, much like the folk from long ago.

Sayings have become a necessary part of our language, allowing us to have a finer understanding of the world. Many of us would feel lost if we could not recite Thirty days hath September, and we are brought up reciting nursery rhymes, most of which have been around for centuries.

Turn over for some examples of traditional phrases and sayings, some you may recognise and others you may not, but all are great expressions of the English language and heritage.

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WEATHERLORE A particular part of British heritage that is greatly reflected in the traditional sayings and phrases of old is the weather. We all know the British love to discuss the weather and this isn’t something new. Many rhymes about nature and weather in particular date from Saxon times.

Probably the most famous of all weatherlore sayings is: “It’s raining cats and dogs.” The exact origin of the saying is unknown, but it is thought to date back to at least 1650. It might have been a way of saying that anything imaginable could fall during a heavy downpour.

“When the forest murmurs and the mountain roars, Then close your windows and shut your doors.”

“Sea gull, sea gull, sit on the sand.

It’s never good weather while you’re on the land.”

“Red sky at night, Shepherd’s delight; Red sky in the morning, Shepherd’s warning.”

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RHYMES & WARNINGS Many of these sayings make sense and are simply logical ways of remembering things. Much like the rhyme “Thirty days hath September, April, June and November…”, a modern day alternative to this is the mnemonic for remembering planets in the solar system – My Very Easily Method Just Speeds Up Naming Planets (except Pluto isn’t thought to be a planet anymore!), using the first letter of each planet.

“Beware of that man, Be he friend or brother, Whose hair is one colour, And moustache another.”

Some sayings are warnings, almost superstitious, but the rhyming systems makes them fun to recite and easily remembered.

“Sayings enable us to understand ourselves more fully and they can explain the behaviour of humanity as a whole. They have truly shaped who we are today.”

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102

THE IMPORTANCE OF MYTH

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“Myth has played a huge role in making us who we are today and shaping our lives.�

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It is clear that myth has played a huge role in making us who we are today and shaping our lives. But why is it so important? There are three main reasons why myth should be greatly valued.

THE BELIEF A belief is something one accepts as true or real; to have trust, faith or confidence in something. But it can also be viewed as an opinion or certain way of thinking – an ideology. Sometimes a belief is necessary to make people feel safe or that they belong. To believe in someone or something is to have confidence in it. A person can have a belief in an existence of something. It is human nature to want something to believe in, something to answer whatever questions life throws at us. Myth has the answers.

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THE NOSTALGIA Nostalgia is a sentimental longing of wistful affection for the past. A period of time or place with particular, usually happy, personal associations.

Reminiscence, remembrance or homesickness. Nostalgia can be viewed as positive or negative; as well as bringing up happy memories from the past, nostalgia can unearth unhappy memories. We all have a distinct nostalgia for our childhood, it is just a natural human response, this is apparent in myth as much as anywhere. As a child you really believe in fairies, Robin Hood and magic – when the stories really came alive. Today these things seem to simply be distant wistful notions. Tales of myth enable us to relive our childhood and reflect on the good old days; when the question of whether something existed or not was not important, as long as it made a good story.

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THE STORYTELLING The concept of nostalgia leads nicely into storytelling; the conveying of events in words and images, often with improvisation. Storytelling, especially in terms of myth, is a way of preserving stories and narratives, as well as spreading them. All children enjoy “story time�, many of these stories take on traditional forms: fairytales, folktales and stories from mythology.

Different variations of the same stories are told and retold all over the world, meaning we can all relate to very similar things. The notion of storytelling encourages imagination as well as providing understanding.

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Myth is an important part of learning as a child, but why should it stop there? Is it not important to learn from these myths throughout our lives?

It may be that not everything in them is completely true but the metaphors they provide and the insights into the way our ancestors lived can teach us valuable lessons.

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“And above all else, imagination is a powerful thing.�

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EXTRACTS

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“Myth in the broadest sense – and why we dismiss it at our own peril.”

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A SHORT HISTORY OF MYTH BY KAREN ARMSTRONG Throughout my research on “myth” there was one book that I felt really stood out. It sums up much of what I was trying to find out and expressed the idea of myth as being an important part of our lives and heritage.

For these reasons I have chosen to include whole specific extracts here at the end of Tall Tales & Short Stories.

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THE MODERN MYTH “We are myth-making creatures and, during the twentieth century, we saw some very destructive modern myths, which have ended in massacre and genocide. These myths have failed because they do not meet the criteria of the days of old. They have not been infused with the spirit of compassion, respect for the sacredness of all life, or with what Confucius called ‘learning’. These destructive mythologies have been narrowly racial, ethnic, denominational and egotistic, an attempt to exhalt the self by demonising the other.”

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CHANGE YOUR LIFE “It is a transcendent encounter that tells us, in effect: ‘change your life’. If it is written and read with serious attention, a novel, like a myth or any great work of art, can become an initiation that helps us to make a painful rite of passage from one phase of life, one state of mind, to another. A novel, like a myth, teaches us to look into our own hearts and to see our world from a perspective that goes beyond our own self-interest. If professional religious leaders cannot instruct us in mythical lore, our artists and creative writers can perhaps step into this priestly role and bring fresh insight to our lost and damaged world.”

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WE NEED MYTH “We need myths that will help us to identify with all our fellow-beings, not simply with those who belong to our ethnic, national or ideological tribe. We need myths that help us to realise the importance of compassion, which is not always regarded as sufficiently productive or efficient in our pragmatic, rational world. We need myths that help us to create spiritual attitude, to see beyond out immediate requirements, and enable us to experience a transcendent value that challenges our solipsistic selfishness. We need myths that help us to venerate the earth as sacred once again, instead of merely using it as a ‘resource’. This is crucial, because unless there is some kind of spiritual revolution that is able to keep abreast of our technological genius we will not save our planet.”

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TALES & STORIES INDEX

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Arthur of Avalon

56

The Battle of Hastings

55

Beasts in Heraldry

20

The Devil’s Footprints

27

Lost Lands and Cities

19

Odin: Ruler of the Gods

45

The Old Gods

15

Romulus & Remus

43

The People’s Champion

28

St Leonard’s Dragon

31

Theseus & the Minotaur

41

Tristan & Isolde

47

Who Were the Fairies?

16

119

ILLUSTRATION INDEX

120

Arthur’s Sword

57

Carrots Make you see in the Dark

79

City Lost Among the Waves

18

Dick Turpin

29

Dragon

30

Fairies

17

First and Foremost

92

Footprints

26

Griffin

19

Hastings Knight

54

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs

97

Jump for Joy

92

Light Bulb

104

121

Magpie

84

Minotaur

40

Newton’s Apple

103

Odin

44

Old Gods’ Tree

14

Once in a Blue Moon

93

On Cloud 9

95

Pear Shaped

94

Romulus & Remus with Wolf

42

See a Penny, Pick it up

99

Sign of the Times

94

Skull

105

Touch Wood

95

Tristan & Isolde

46

Two Left Feet

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Books

Armstrong, Karen. A Short History of Myth. Edinburgh: Canongate, 2005.

Reader’s Digest. Folklore, Myths, and Legends of Britain. London: Reader’s Digest Association, 1977.

Harrowven, Jean. The Origins of Rhymes, Songs, and Sayings. London: Kaye & Ward, 1977 Radford, E. Encyclopaedia of Superstitions. London: Hutchinson, 1961.

Thury, Eva M. Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths.

New York: Oxford UP, 2005.

Websites

“The 20 Greatest Historical Myths.” Write Spirit. 2012. [http://www.writespirit.net/ad/greatest_historical_myths] “Do Myths Have Meaning?” Theosophy. 2012. [http://www.teosofia.com/Mumbai/7112myths.html] “Greek Gods, Myths, And Legends.” About.com Ancient / Classical History. 2012. [http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/myths/a/GreekMythology.htm] “Introduction to Greek Mythology.” Greek Mythology. 2012. [http://www.historylink102.com/greece2/index.htm]

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“Legend: Romulus & Remus - Ancient Rome for Kids.” Ancient Rome for Kids. 2012. [http://rome.mrdonn.org/romulusandremus.html] “Medieval Information.” Introduction to Norse Mythology. 2012. [http://medieval-castles.org/index.php/introduction_to_norse_mythology_viking_b] “Myth FAQs.” Myth FAQs. 2012. [http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/MythFAQs.htm] “A Myth Is a Lie - True or False?” WryteStuff Writers’ Community. 2012. [http://www.steve-gillman.wrytestuff.com/swa270641.htm] “Myth.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 2012. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth] “Myths Encyclopedia.” Celtic Mythology. 2012. [http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Ca-Cr/Celtic-Mythology.html] “Myths Encyclopedia.” Tristan and Isolde. 2012. [http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Tr-Wa/Tristan-and-Isolde.html] “Norse Mythology Introduction.” Home. 2012 [http://molly.kalafut.org/mythology/Norse/norse.html] “Roman Mythology.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 2012. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_mythology] “Theseus and the Minotaur.” LearningAlived. 2012. [http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/greek/minotaur.html] “Timeless Myth.” Timeless Myth. 2012. [http://www.timelessmyth.co.uk] “Vikings.” BBC News. BBC. 2012. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/beliefs_and_stories] “What Is an Urban Legend?” About.com Urban Legends. 2012. [http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/urbanlegends/f/urbanlegends1.htm] 123

Delve into a land of myth and a world of imagination.

Tall Tales & Short Stories, an exhibition at The British Library, ran from 16th June to 23rd September 2012. This book accompanies the exhibition although it is also a stand-alone book in its own right. The exhibition aimed to encourage its viewers to rekindle their imaginative side, something that may have been lost in adulthood, through the idea of myth.

At first focusing on British myths, including those familiar to all and stories much lesser known, the exhibition and book explore what a myth is, how it is formed and just why they are important to us.

But myths are not reserved for the British alone, every culture around the world has its own myths; they are deeply embedded in our society and have helped to shape who we are today.

The stories they involve or the nostalgic feelings they evoke are powerful and significant in our lives. From legendary tales of heroes, mythical creatures and unexplained occurrences, to the superstitious beliefs and sayings we all take for granted, myths are everywhere.

“To understand a myth is to understand its purpose, its significance.”

“Myth has played a huge role in making us who we are today and shaping our lives.”

ISBN 284-3-335-56087-3

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Researched, written, illustrated and designed by Emma Prew.

284333

5560873

UK £14.99 / US $25.00 / EU €18.50