Abstract
THAT eminent folklorist, the late A. R. Wright, had made the collection of evidence relating to British calendar customs a lifelong pursuit. The much desired publication of a selection from this material has now been made possible through the Folk-lore Society by the generous assistance of liis widow. The editor, with wise judgment, has elected to deal with the movable feasts as a whole in chronological order, thus avoiding the complications and difficulties which arise when an attempt is made to fit them into the framework of the ceremonies of a fixed calendar. At the same time, it is obvious that this method of dealing with the material has the disadvantage of detaching from one another seasonal practices, which are clearly related. This, however, is an inconvenience in critical study which will be reduced to a minimum when the later volume covering the fixed festivals appears. It will, therefore, be an advantage to postpone the more detailed examination of the material until this is available. Meanwhile, it may be noted for the information of the student that this volume, hi addition to Shrovetide, Easter and attendant observances, Ascensiontide and Whitsuntide, covers movable festivals not dependent on Easter, and also some harvest customs.
British Calendar Customs
England, Vol. 1: Movable Festivals. By A. R. Wright. Edited by Dr. T. E. Lones. (Published for the Folk-lore Society.) Pp. xvi + 212 + 8 plates. (London: William Glaisher, Ltd., 1936.) 12s. 6d. net.
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British Calendar Customs. Nature 137, 970 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/137970c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/137970c0