The Denham Tracts

Michael Aislabie Denham, The Denham Tracts: folklore from the tracts and pamphlets he printed between 1846 and 1859, edited by James Hardy for the Folk-Lore Society (2 vols, 1892-1895).

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Two volumes, 1892 and 1895, published by the Folk-Lore Society. Facsimile reprints are easy to find.

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Sunday 6 December

Monday 21 December

Thursday 24 December

Friday 25 December

Folklore from the old calendars

A fool that marries at Yule Lore and belief Northern EnglandA northern saying called anyone who married at Yule a fool, because the baby would come just when the corn needed cutting.
As many mince pies, so many happy months Lore and belief Cumberland, WestmorlandIn Westmorland and Cumberland it was said that you would have as many happy months in the coming year as mince pies you tasted at Christmas.
The kissing bush at York and Newcastle No longer kept Northumberland, YorkshireAt York and Newcastle upon Tyne a kissing bush was hung up at Christmas, made of mistletoe, evergreens, ribbons and oranges.
A horse and a gig and a good fat pig No longer kept YorkshireAt Christmas the children of Woodhouse near Sheffield went from neighbour to neighbour to beg their Christmas box with a rhyme.
The Christmas loving cup in Cumberland No longer kept Cumberland, WestmorlandAt Christmas parties in Cumberland and Westmorland a bowl of hot rum punch went round as the wassail or loving cup before the guests left.