The History of Jack and the Giants

Myths

Folk-lore and legends: English

by Charles John TIBBITS (1861 - 1935)

The old English Folklore Tales are fast dying out. The simplicity of character necessary for the retaining of old memories and beliefs is being lost, more rapidly in England, perhaps, than in any other part of the world. Our folk are giving up the old myths for new ones. Before remorseless “progress,” and the struggle for existence, the poetry of life is being quickly blotted out. In editing this volume I have endeavoured to select some of the best specimens of our Folklore. With regard to the nursery tales, I have taken pains to give them as they are in the earliest editions I could find. I must say, however, that, while I have taken every care to alter only as much as was absolutely necessary in these tales, some excision and slight alteration has at times been required. - Summary by Charles John Tibbits

Listen next episodes of Folk-lore and legends: English:
A Pleasant and Delightful History of Thomas Hickathrift , How the Cobbler cheated the Devil , Johnny Reed’s Cat , Lame Molly , Legends of King Arthur , Silky , The Baker’s Daughter , The Barn Elves , The Brown man of the Moors , The Duergar , The Fairies’ Cup , The Fairy Children , The History of Jack and the Beanstalk , The Old Woman and the Crooked Sixpence , The Spectre Coach , The Tavistock Witch , The White Lady , The Worm of Lambton , The Yorkshire Boggart