The Pattern Under the Plough

by George Ewart Evans, David Gentleman (Illustrator)

Following his two classics, "Ask the Fellows Who Cut the Hay" and "The Horse in the Furrow", renowned oral historian George Ewart Evans continues his study of the vanishing customs, working habits and rich language of the farming communities of East Anglia with "The Pattern Under the Plough" (Faber, 1966). Although based on East Anglia, this book was and remains of wider interest, for - as the author pointed out at the time - similar changes were occurring in North America, and also happening with remarkable speed in Africa. In chronicling the old culture. George Ewart Evans has taken its two chief aspects, the home and the farm.He describes the house with its fascinating constructional details, the magic invoked for its protection, the mystique of the hearth, the link of the bees with the people of the house, and some of their fears and pre-occupations. Among the chapters on the farm is one of Evans' most original pieces of research: the description of the secret horse societies. Beautifully illustrated by David Gentleman, this book is important not only for the material it reveals about the past but for the implications for present-day society. 'As real (and as valuable) as the evidence unearthed by the spadework of archeology' - "Observer".

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Folklore, British Literature, Nature

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 1971

About the author

George Ewart Evans was born and raised in the mining community of Abercynon, Glamorganshire, Wales. He wrote a series of books examining the disappearing customs and portraying the way of life as it had been in rural Suffolk. "Ask the Fellows who Cut the Hay" is probably his best known book. The publication of his books gave him deserved recognition as a pioneering oral historian. He was also an accomplished story writer and wrote short-stories, novels and poems.

Reviews

[John Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully produced book, published by Little Toller Books in its Folk History series; lovely illustrations by David Gentleman. I hadn't read anything previously by GEW who seems to have written several 'folk history' books. As well as writing he taught and gave radio broadcasts. The book is set largely in East Anglia, particularly in Suffolk and Norfolk, though there are many references to other parts of the UK, particularly NE Scotland.

The book is concerned with country practices, their evolution from primeval times, analysis/assessment of them. This includes lots of folklore and remedies we might be tempted to dismiss as silly superstitions. Evans shows some of these to be successful and even scientifically based, to some extent. He looks closely at several superstitions, sayings and the origins of figurative terms we use daily without necessarily knowing much of their literal derivation - eg nightmare.

This is a valuable record, helping to ensure that these practices etc are not forgotten. The first part of the volume is particularly readable. The second, which devotes many of its pages to horse management, including breaking in and the relationship between man and horse was, initially, very interesting, But you can have too much of a good thing! And so it proved for me. I found my attention wandering and my patience wearing thin. It was also inclined to being over wordy. I still enjoyed reading it and it's well researched and a useful reference book, though without an index.

[Bill Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pretty much all in on folk horror, at least the way the term started out, describing scary stories that draw on the old folklore and legends of the British Isles. At their best, I think the films and fiction in this sub-genre tap into a kind of weirdness that reflects a world view -- and the fear that arises from it -- almost lost to most modern horror fiction. My interest in it has lead to reading some really excellent nonfiction, including this splendid collection of essays about pre-modern rural customs.

There's a fair bit here about witch bottles and other dark things. The real treasure for me though was the long section on horses -- horse cults, horsey magic involving toadstones and frog bones, and especially one of my favorite, under-utilized monsters, the nightmare (or just the mare, which sounds way spookier). Mare lore echoes are everywhere once you start looking for them, the stories and etymology occurring with surprising commonality all over Europe.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book delves into aspects of rural culture that were hidden from casual observers and discounted by formal historians. It explores the functional, or operative witchcraft practiced by farmers and horsemen to ensure the absence of evil from dwellings, the fertility of the land, and control of the 'life giving' horse. Practices rooted in pre-Christian times that lingered into the early twentieth century. This well researched offering tells us much about the dependence of rural communities on past belief systems and their reluctance to let go of them in the face of long held superstitions and fears. An invaluable work for anyone who shrinks from rural romanticism in favour of uncovering the truth.

[Nightshade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read on old rural English customs. There are references to M. Murray and R. Graves which need to be taken with a huge pinch of salt, but overall it was an enjoyable and educational read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read with some great insights into everyday life in rural England in days past. I wish more people who are interested in Paganism and witchcraft would read books such as this rather than those written by Purple Fairy Silver Wing Rainbow heart and the likes. These kinds of book that look into our rich heritage and folklore give a far better basis for the craft than the afore mentioned.

[Trunatrschild · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of great folklore that the author collected from the Suffolk region and very well written for an easy pleasant read. The only drawback is that as usual for this author, he quotes "The White Goddess" and Charles Leland as fact, but it's because this was written during the 60's before decent research was done on those two.

[Gille Liath · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some interesting nuggets here, and the drawings are nice, but it's spoiled by Evans' obvious aspiration to write a White Goddess or Golden Bough. He tries far too hard to convince us that country superstitions are a survival of ancient pagan religion (a very fashionable theory at the time, and perhaps still), or even that observance of these superstitions actually constitutes the practice of pagan religion. In reality, superstitions do not belong to any specific religion – although they do stem from the same fundamental instinct as religion, that all things are essentially one. Most people are prone to them, religious or not; plenty of Christians are superstitious without prejudice to their Christianity. Less still is the observance of superstitions a religion in itself. The bare minimum requirement for that would be the conscious acknowledgement of some sort of spirits or gods who were responsible for the effects concerned.

In trying to substantiate his claims, Evans is guilty of some examples of specious reasoning worthy of the Temperance Society in Pickwick papers. Take his claim that billy goats were introduced into the cowshed to prevent abortion amongst cattle, ‘and it is likely that this custom still survives’. His evidence for this last clause? That he had heard of a goat being housed in a stable with horses – the end! But there you are, people mostly believe what they want to believe.

It does give you a pang, though, to have so many reminders of the wholeness of old-fashioned country life; a life gone beyond recall, but so recently that we can still hear its echoes.

[Wing Grabowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic. Could do without the James Frazer/Golden Bough-influenced theory (now mainly disregarded). But otherwise incredible on-the-ground collection of English folklore, flowing and wonderful writing.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the folklife of East Anglia. Unlike his other books which concentrate on oral history, this work looks in depth at some of the primitive belief systems of the rural working-class. Many of these superstitions and beliefs have lasted well into the early part of the twentieth century. Evans has done a huge amount to preserve these country matters. Although in historical terms Evans deals with relatively modern material, since the first World War much of this information has faded away into obscurity. A cursory search on the internet reveals that Evans is virtually the only source for much of this folk lore. If you are interested in social history, then this book comes highly recommended.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is pretty cute if you want to hear about some old time british rural folklore, but be warned: for big picture stuff he cites outdated people like james frazer and margaret murray, so maybe take the ideas of all folkloric beliefs being remnants of paganism with a grain of salt.