Exeter (SX9292), Devon

V.Alford (1952)

Violet Alford (Auth.)
Introduction to English Folklore
London: G.Bell & Son Ltd., 1952

This is a general folklore book, with the main chapter headings; I. What Folklore is, II. The Calendar, III. Village Seasonal Life, IV. Our Dances and Drama, V. Our Songs and Their Folklore, VI. Our Tales, and VII. A Page of Magic. Chapter IV is subdivided into; 1. The Sword Dance, 2. The Play [i.e. the St. George Play], 3. The Other Play [i.e. the Plough Play], 4. The Morris Dance, and 5. Our Country Dances.

A number of plays from from all over the country are aluded to, but none in any individual detail. A.Brice's reference to the play in Exeter (allegedly 1738) is given, as is the tune of the Mummers' Carol from Overton, Hants.

One of the photographs (facing p.40) shows seven characters in costume, and is captioned;

"Ib. Plough Play Mummers, Tollerton, Notts., coming down the street." This does not appear to be referred to in the text of the book. The list of illustrations credits the photo to the "Nottingham Guardian".

Other photos show; The Old Tup from Handsworth, Yorks., the White Horse of the Burringham, Lincs., Plough Jags, North Waltham, Hants., Mummers, and the Wild Horse, Antrobus, Ches., 1952.

J.Simpson (1981)

Jaqueline Simpson (Auth.)
BRITISH FOLKLORE
London: The Post Office, 1981

This is a series of seven work cards produced by the Post Office for use in schools. They accompany the commemorative stamps issued on 6th Feb.1981. One is headed; "Entertainments: Mumming and Hobby Horses". It features two photos of Marshfield, Glos., Mummers, and one of Antrobus, Ches., play. There is also a description of the Antrobus horse, and a general account of folk plays. Another card, headed "The Calendar: Hallowe'en and Mayday" includes one photo of the Antrobus, Ches. play team. "Folklore on the Farm" details a Plough Monday custom practised by the Young Farmers' Club at Exeter Cathedral. The other work cards are:- "The Lore of the Landscape", "Superstitions: Luck and Charms", Supernatural: Fairies, Witches and Dragons", and "Teacher's Notes: Guidelines".