Observations on Popular Antiquities
Chiefly Illustrating the Origin of our Vulgar Customs, Ceremonies and Superstitions

Published in 1813, this two-volume almanac of British customs and superstitions is one of the earliest sources for British folklore.

John Brand (Author), Henry Ellis (Edited by)

9781108036474, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 December 2011

746 pages
24.4 x 17 x 3.8 cm, 1.17 kg

John Brand (1744–1806), secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, first published his widely popular Observations on Popular Antiquities in 1777. This fascinating two-volume almanac of British superstitions and customs was in fact a heavily revised and annotated version of Henry Bourne's Antiquitates vulgares (1725). Volume 2 of Brand's almanac concerns the origins and practices of British customs and ceremonies including marriage customs, death rites, belief in fairies, witchcraft, omens, and divination. The volume also provides explanations for obscure but common phrases and expressions. Following the success of the book's initial reception, Brand continued to research English folklore with the intention of publishing fuller information. This two-volume version, published posthumously in 1813, was edited and expanded by Sir Henry Ellis, Keeper of Manuscripts at the British Museum, and further revisions also appeared in 1841 and 1870. Brand's book is regarded as the foundation for folklore studies in England.

Customs and Ceremonies: Child-bearing, churching, and christening customs
Marriage customs and ceremonies
Customs at deaths
Of bowing towards the altar or communion table on entering the church
Drinking customs
Barbers' signs
Tobacco in ale houses
Custom and superstitions concerning wells and fountains
Notices concerning sports and games
Popular notices concerning cards
Sports of sailors
Fairs
Of the meaning of the old saw, 'Five score or men, money, and pins, six score of all other things'
Fairy mythology
Popular notions concerning the apparition of the devil
Sorcery or witchcraft
Ghosts or apparitions
Gipsies
Obsolete vulgar punishments
Omens
Charms
Divination
Vulgar errors
Neck verse
Bishop in the pan
Dining with Duke Humphrey
Miller's thumb
Turning cat in pan
Putting the miller's eye out
To bear the bell
To pluck a crow with any one
Of certain other obscure phrases and common expressions
Of the phenomenon vulgarly called Will, or Kitty with a wisp, or Jack with a lanthorn.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]