Folklore of Cumberland

The year ahead

Told of Cumberland, but not tied to a day of the year.

Folklore from the old calendars

A Cumberland bidding wedding No longer kept CumberlandBell's Weekly Messenger of 28 May 1797 reprinted from the Cumberland Packet a bridegroom's advertisement for his own wedding.
Marrying in a Smock Lore and belief Cumberland, EnglandIt was once a common belief that a man who married a woman wearing nothing but her shift would not be answerable for any debts she brought with her.
Selling a wife at Carlisle Lore and belief CumberlandMany people in England believed a man could end his marriage by selling his wife at public auction.
The Corse-House No longer kept CumberlandA Cumberland correspondent told Hone how, within the previous twenty years, the passing bell sent neighbours to call at the corse-house, as the house of mourning was called.
The dow purse No longer kept CumberlandChambers traced the old custom of a bridegroom giving his bride a gift of money on marriage, known in England as the dow purse.
The Luck of Edenhall Lore and belief CumberlandThe Musgrave family of Edenhall kept an old painted glass drinking cup as a treasured heirloom.
Waffs, Swarths and Fye-tokens Lore and belief Cumberland, Northumberland, ScotlandThe appearance of a living person, to himself or to others, was widely taken as a token of death.