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Jack's Strange Tales #2
It's A Strange Place, England
This small book looks at some of the strange things that make England unique, starting with the English language itself and looking at concepts such as sports, ghosts and the English love for eccentricity - like the sportsman who rode his horse naked.
As well as strange people, the book looks at strange places. For example, there is the canal across Southern England that was dug to keep back Bonaparte’s hordes in the invasion that never took place. There is also the impressively masculine Cerne Abbas Giant, to which women once flocked when they wished to become pregnant. The mysterious Stonehenge also deserves its part in this book.
Some traditions have not lasted into modern times, such as wife selling, which was once fairly common and strangely, often with the consent of the wife herself.
The book takes a more serious turn when it examines the witch-hunting epidemic of the 17th century. Lightening the mood are the chapters on the so-called Hellfire Club and a look at English dragons. Did they exist?
From Robin Hood to highwaymen and smugglers, English folk tales take some very ruthless people and turn them into heroes that they most certainly were not. We also look at the Morris Dancers and the famous tale of Spring Heeled Jack - who or whatever he may have been.
Finally, there's a cheerful chapter that looks at pubs, which figure prominently in many English tales and are a part of modern culture all over the world today.
As well as strange people, the book looks at strange places. For example, there is the canal across Southern England that was dug to keep back Bonaparte’s hordes in the invasion that never took place. There is also the impressively masculine Cerne Abbas Giant, to which women once flocked when they wished to become pregnant. The mysterious Stonehenge also deserves its part in this book.
Some traditions have not lasted into modern times, such as wife selling, which was once fairly common and strangely, often with the consent of the wife herself.
The book takes a more serious turn when it examines the witch-hunting epidemic of the 17th century. Lightening the mood are the chapters on the so-called Hellfire Club and a look at English dragons. Did they exist?
From Robin Hood to highwaymen and smugglers, English folk tales take some very ruthless people and turn them into heroes that they most certainly were not. We also look at the Morris Dancers and the famous tale of Spring Heeled Jack - who or whatever he may have been.
Finally, there's a cheerful chapter that looks at pubs, which figure prominently in many English tales and are a part of modern culture all over the world today.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2017
177 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 12, 2018
This is a collection of stories, myths, rumors and anecdotes about England Not the UK not Great Britain. Some of them are known to everyone like Lady Godiva while others are probably news to all but the most dedicated historian.
There are ghosts, monsters and murderers. Despite 3 visits to London and UK I was unaware of most of these. And I did find the name of a pub I have actually been to in the book.
This is a must read for an anglophile.
There are ghosts, monsters and murderers. Despite 3 visits to London and UK I was unaware of most of these. And I did find the name of a pub I have actually been to in the book.
This is a must read for an anglophile.
March 3, 2019
Great historic fun!
It's a Strange Place, England (Jack's Strange Tales Book 2) by Jack Strange is filled with entertaining historic tidbits that keep me interested and informed. I especially enjoyed the famous ghosts of Eng and hated (but it was accurate) the witch trials! The book explored entertainment such as hangings and told some of the interesting ones, sports and games, punishment, geography, food, and more! If you like entertaining history, this is for you!
It's a Strange Place, England (Jack's Strange Tales Book 2) by Jack Strange is filled with entertaining historic tidbits that keep me interested and informed. I especially enjoyed the famous ghosts of Eng and hated (but it was accurate) the witch trials! The book explored entertainment such as hangings and told some of the interesting ones, sports and games, punishment, geography, food, and more! If you like entertaining history, this is for you!
September 16, 2023
This book looks as if it has not been proofread. It has numerous mistakes (words missing, sentences that are a nonsensical combination of two versions etc.).
I would have (grudgingly) overlooked this if the book had been interesting but it wasn't. Or, to be fair to the author, I didn't find it interesting. I was reading it on Kindle and, at 58%, I realised I was bored and gave up.
Sorry, this was just not for me.
I would have (grudgingly) overlooked this if the book had been interesting but it wasn't. Or, to be fair to the author, I didn't find it interesting. I was reading it on Kindle and, at 58%, I realised I was bored and gave up.
Sorry, this was just not for me.
January 8, 2025
Interesting strange stuff but the delivery was a bit too off for me.
December 16, 2017
Jack Strange's England is never a bore; it is a mystifying country with its tempestuous history and colorful characters populated by the ever undead of the bygone eras still roaming their past abodes or workplaces among the quick. It is a quaint country where history meets myth and legend. This book will guide the reader to Strange England where fanciful folklores and historical facts are anchored in the traditions and customs.
The author admits that England is perhaps arguably one of the most haunted countries in the world, thanks to its religiously and politically tempestuous pasts spanning the wheel of time from the Roman colonial period to the present. To illustrate, in Derbyshire a spectral Roman sentinel is often seen leading a parade of a circus comprising gladiators, chariots, and slaves, then all of them disappear into the mist. Another lovelorn Roman soldier is witnessed alongside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, wandering in despair of his betrayed love for a fair English maiden. The phantom English residents also encompass the Benedictine monks led by St, Cuthbert in Lindisfarne, which was a target for frequent raiding by Norsemen who also threatened the cradle of English Christianity. It is said that the best time to see the saint or the monks is when the tides are high and a full moon lights the shore as a natural lantern.
England is also a home of many interesting sports that are historically - and sometimes by happenstance - originated. The World Gurning Championship in Egremont in Cumbria originated in 1267 when the Lord of the manor gave out crabapples to the locals. One can imagine without difficulty the consequence of tasting the apple, and thus can master the art of making as ugly face as possible. Hence this hilarious tournament comes to exist to this day. It's open to everyone - yes, even to the fairest of all - , and it's all about fun and participation. Also, there is Black Pudding Throwing Championship in Ridge, Lancashire. Originated in 1455, this tournament shows English humor mixed with historical irony, which makes it all the more convincing. It was during the period of "War of the Roses" elegantly referred by Sir Walter Scott (who was a Scottish) to the feud between the House of York whose symbol was a white rose and the House of Lancashire a red rose. At the Battle of Stubbins in Lancashire in 1455, both forces decided to throw puddings at one another instead of lances. Believe it or not, the descendents still commemorate the incident by holding a championship every year with mirthful popularity.
Subsequent to the Strange Tales of the Sea, the author Jack Strange has done a marvelous job gleaning the extensive historical documents and cultural artifacts from his tireless research to provide his reader with interesting facts about his England. Strange is a gifted artificer who digs artifacts buried in the depths of forgotten times and lost folklores. Strange is also a mysteriously reclusive figure himself because there's no personal information about him. Maybe that's why his writings are so hauntingly attractive and oddly addictive. Unbeknownst to the readers, Strange is an excellent storyteller who weaves a span of legends and folklores into factual history imbued with his impressive knowledge of the history of England and his English humor permeated in his writings. This book is Strange's winking invitation to his beloved England that spins a general image of the country with enchanting oddity and wide-eyed wonder that the readers will not tire of.
The author admits that England is perhaps arguably one of the most haunted countries in the world, thanks to its religiously and politically tempestuous pasts spanning the wheel of time from the Roman colonial period to the present. To illustrate, in Derbyshire a spectral Roman sentinel is often seen leading a parade of a circus comprising gladiators, chariots, and slaves, then all of them disappear into the mist. Another lovelorn Roman soldier is witnessed alongside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, wandering in despair of his betrayed love for a fair English maiden. The phantom English residents also encompass the Benedictine monks led by St, Cuthbert in Lindisfarne, which was a target for frequent raiding by Norsemen who also threatened the cradle of English Christianity. It is said that the best time to see the saint or the monks is when the tides are high and a full moon lights the shore as a natural lantern.
England is also a home of many interesting sports that are historically - and sometimes by happenstance - originated. The World Gurning Championship in Egremont in Cumbria originated in 1267 when the Lord of the manor gave out crabapples to the locals. One can imagine without difficulty the consequence of tasting the apple, and thus can master the art of making as ugly face as possible. Hence this hilarious tournament comes to exist to this day. It's open to everyone - yes, even to the fairest of all - , and it's all about fun and participation. Also, there is Black Pudding Throwing Championship in Ridge, Lancashire. Originated in 1455, this tournament shows English humor mixed with historical irony, which makes it all the more convincing. It was during the period of "War of the Roses" elegantly referred by Sir Walter Scott (who was a Scottish) to the feud between the House of York whose symbol was a white rose and the House of Lancashire a red rose. At the Battle of Stubbins in Lancashire in 1455, both forces decided to throw puddings at one another instead of lances. Believe it or not, the descendents still commemorate the incident by holding a championship every year with mirthful popularity.
Subsequent to the Strange Tales of the Sea, the author Jack Strange has done a marvelous job gleaning the extensive historical documents and cultural artifacts from his tireless research to provide his reader with interesting facts about his England. Strange is a gifted artificer who digs artifacts buried in the depths of forgotten times and lost folklores. Strange is also a mysteriously reclusive figure himself because there's no personal information about him. Maybe that's why his writings are so hauntingly attractive and oddly addictive. Unbeknownst to the readers, Strange is an excellent storyteller who weaves a span of legends and folklores into factual history imbued with his impressive knowledge of the history of England and his English humor permeated in his writings. This book is Strange's winking invitation to his beloved England that spins a general image of the country with enchanting oddity and wide-eyed wonder that the readers will not tire of.
April 26, 2019
With no backing up of the facts, this has the feel of a book of spurious claims held together with tenuous links. Like where it leaps swiftly from the War of the Roses via a battle to snail racing. And could someone please show me “Norfolkshire” on the map? Did the editor not live in England?
Did not enjoy this book.
Did not enjoy this book.
November 3, 2020
A fascinating peer into the past
Having read the author's previous books about strange Scotland, Ireland and Wales, I completed my tour of Britain with this gem of a book about strange England. It's filled with fascinating facts, legends and folklore tales from England's often bloody past.
There's smugglers, footpads, highwaymen and much more. The justice as practised in the Middle Ages was quite brutal evidenced by the activities of the infamous Judge Jeffries. There were hangings, beheadings, and hanging, drawing and quartering, all viewed as entertainment by the populace at the time. Bloodthirsty people us English!
My favourite section featured the good old English pubs, and how many of them were named. Best of all for me was The Drunken Duck. I won't spoil it by telling how it came about but it had me in stitches, so funny.
All in all this book is terrific entertainment and comes with my highest recommendation if you like your history served in small doses, with fact sitting side by side with legend. Malcolm Archibald must have spent many hours researching this brilliant series of books and this one definitely deserves 5 big stars.
Having read the author's previous books about strange Scotland, Ireland and Wales, I completed my tour of Britain with this gem of a book about strange England. It's filled with fascinating facts, legends and folklore tales from England's often bloody past.
There's smugglers, footpads, highwaymen and much more. The justice as practised in the Middle Ages was quite brutal evidenced by the activities of the infamous Judge Jeffries. There were hangings, beheadings, and hanging, drawing and quartering, all viewed as entertainment by the populace at the time. Bloodthirsty people us English!
My favourite section featured the good old English pubs, and how many of them were named. Best of all for me was The Drunken Duck. I won't spoil it by telling how it came about but it had me in stitches, so funny.
All in all this book is terrific entertainment and comes with my highest recommendation if you like your history served in small doses, with fact sitting side by side with legend. Malcolm Archibald must have spent many hours researching this brilliant series of books and this one definitely deserves 5 big stars.
January 1, 2019
I received this free eBook through Freebooksy in exchange for a fair review.
This is an entertaining and easy book to read with interesting and strange facts that have to do with John Bull “ a national icon who never existed”, sports, eccentric British people in the history, places, historical women (some being not real but legends), landmarks made by men, customs in the past such as selling one’s wife, witches, clubs, creatures such as dragons and vampires, romantic criminals like Robin Hood, pubs, violent public executions, disappearing ships, crop circles, highway robbers, and games in England.
The book is an enjoyable read; on the funny side, even after finishing the book, I still can’t figure out the difference between England, UK, Great Britain, and the British Isles, although the author goes a pretty good job of explaining it. I guess I need to do some more reading about the subject.
This is an entertaining and easy book to read with interesting and strange facts that have to do with John Bull “ a national icon who never existed”, sports, eccentric British people in the history, places, historical women (some being not real but legends), landmarks made by men, customs in the past such as selling one’s wife, witches, clubs, creatures such as dragons and vampires, romantic criminals like Robin Hood, pubs, violent public executions, disappearing ships, crop circles, highway robbers, and games in England.
The book is an enjoyable read; on the funny side, even after finishing the book, I still can’t figure out the difference between England, UK, Great Britain, and the British Isles, although the author goes a pretty good job of explaining it. I guess I need to do some more reading about the subject.
April 6, 2021
The author, whose name is Strange, has collected and written about a wide range of unusual tales and tall stories pertaining to England's ghosts, sea pirates, witches, highway robbers, and a variety of other shady characters and dealings over the centuries. While some of the chapters reveal rather unsavory details, others hold a touch of humor or sadness. Not sure which category the wife-selling falls under.
The volume of information included in the twenty chapters makes this a treasure trove of research material for the writer interested in gathering ideas for a short story or plotline for a novel. This benefit garnered the fourth star in my rating of the book.
The volume of information included in the twenty chapters makes this a treasure trove of research material for the writer interested in gathering ideas for a short story or plotline for a novel. This benefit garnered the fourth star in my rating of the book.
May 30, 2018
Exploring everything that is quirky, eccentric, historical & just downright weird about England & the English, this book is brilliant. Each chapter is explained in an upbeat & unique manner, enabling the reader to learn a great deal about customs, battles, pastimes & much more. I absolutely love this series of books (having also read 'Strange Tales of Scotland' & 'Strange Tales of the Sea') and just hope that the author is now ready to tackle the missing links..Ireland & Wales!
December 4, 2018
Strange and Unique Indeed
This a fascinating and informative book on the uniqueness that is England. Full of strange tales, hauntings, wars, theft, piracy and more events that made merry old England what it is today. The extensive research turns up all sorts of people and events, many of which are little known. If you enjoy life and history, you will enjoy this book. I certainly did. I downloaded this after reading the wonderful Wales book the author wrote.
This a fascinating and informative book on the uniqueness that is England. Full of strange tales, hauntings, wars, theft, piracy and more events that made merry old England what it is today. The extensive research turns up all sorts of people and events, many of which are little known. If you enjoy life and history, you will enjoy this book. I certainly did. I downloaded this after reading the wonderful Wales book the author wrote.
March 11, 2022
I think my expectations from this book were rather higher. It felt too episodic and disjointed to boot. A focus on a few good stories rather than so many strewn across the land might have held my interest better. Though it was written with tongue firmly in cheek, I hoped for more humour and more storytelling. To make matters worse, the kindle edition had quite a few typos too.
May 21, 2023
It could be that if you are English, living in England, this might be an interesting read. However, if you are simply a citizen of a commonwealth nation, most of the narrative will be lost on you. And the strange places, people and events are mostly from centuries past, therefore unrelatable, so who really has a keen interest?
October 30, 2023
This is a recitation of odd stories & facts. I almost couldn't focus on reading it properly because there's no narrative through line. It seems like something you'd read in bits n bites instead of in a longer session. Not for me.
August 8, 2019
Some of the quirky legends and lore of England with the odd, random historical facts thrown in for good measure.
December 20, 2023
Difficult to get into, and then I enjoyed it tremendously. A few great ideas for historical novels in here.
January 19, 2022
Prawdziwa jazda bez trzymanki przez angielską historię, tradycje i zwyczaje. Te najdziwniejsze, najbardziej szokujące i niewiarygodne.
Chcecie wiedzieć, gdzie leży najbardziej nawiedzona przez duchy wieś w Anglii? Kto straszy w opactwie Lindisfarne, a kto na Murze Hadriana? Dlaczego czaszka z Bettiscombe krzyczy za każdym razem, gdy tylko ktoś wyniesie ją z domu?
A może zechcecie się dowiedzieć kim był John Bull i czy naprawdę istniał?
Jeśli jesteście amatorami sportów, to poczytacie o rugby lub krykiecie. Mało interesujące? A wyścigi ślimaków, bitwa yorkshire pudding vs. black pudding, światowe mistrzostwa w wabieniu dżdżownic z ziemi?
Jest też coś o kobietach... Czy wiecie na kim wzorował się Dickens, pisząc powieść o Moolly Flanders i co zrobiły sąsiadki pewnemu mężczyźnie, który bił swoją żonę? A czy ktoś z Was odwiedził londyński cmentarz prostytutek?
Co mówią nam kamienne kręgi i gdzie można spotkać 50-metrowego nagiego mężczyznę z wzwiedzionym fallusem? Czyim dziełem są słynne kręgi w zbożu?
Co zrobić z niechcianą żoną? I to tak, żeby nikomu nie stała się krzywda, a wręcz wszyscy byli zadowoleni? Może sprzedać na targu?
Znalazło się też miejsce dla wiedźm, smoków i szkieletu kobiety, znalezionego w pniu drzewa. Przeczytacie też kim byli Robin Hood, Dick Turpin i żyjący kilkaset lat Jack Spring Heeled. Odwiedzicie najsłynniejsze i najdziwniejsze puby i zajazdy i dowiecie się, czy były one bezpieczne dla gości. Wybierzecie się na najpopularniejsze miejsce egzekucji w samym centrum Londynu i spotkacie najprawdziwszego kata, Jacka Ketcha. Zapoznacie się też ze smutną i szokującą historią Ann Green, która została powieszona na dziedzińcu oxfordzkiego więzienia, a potem zmartwychwstała.
Książeczka niezbyt obszerna, bo raptem 181 stron. Język dość łatwy, choć były fragmenty, które dały w kość z racji nazw własnych.
Baaaardzo polecam!
Chcecie wiedzieć, gdzie leży najbardziej nawiedzona przez duchy wieś w Anglii? Kto straszy w opactwie Lindisfarne, a kto na Murze Hadriana? Dlaczego czaszka z Bettiscombe krzyczy za każdym razem, gdy tylko ktoś wyniesie ją z domu?
A może zechcecie się dowiedzieć kim był John Bull i czy naprawdę istniał?
Jeśli jesteście amatorami sportów, to poczytacie o rugby lub krykiecie. Mało interesujące? A wyścigi ślimaków, bitwa yorkshire pudding vs. black pudding, światowe mistrzostwa w wabieniu dżdżownic z ziemi?
Jest też coś o kobietach... Czy wiecie na kim wzorował się Dickens, pisząc powieść o Moolly Flanders i co zrobiły sąsiadki pewnemu mężczyźnie, który bił swoją żonę? A czy ktoś z Was odwiedził londyński cmentarz prostytutek?
Co mówią nam kamienne kręgi i gdzie można spotkać 50-metrowego nagiego mężczyznę z wzwiedzionym fallusem? Czyim dziełem są słynne kręgi w zbożu?
Co zrobić z niechcianą żoną? I to tak, żeby nikomu nie stała się krzywda, a wręcz wszyscy byli zadowoleni? Może sprzedać na targu?
Znalazło się też miejsce dla wiedźm, smoków i szkieletu kobiety, znalezionego w pniu drzewa. Przeczytacie też kim byli Robin Hood, Dick Turpin i żyjący kilkaset lat Jack Spring Heeled. Odwiedzicie najsłynniejsze i najdziwniejsze puby i zajazdy i dowiecie się, czy były one bezpieczne dla gości. Wybierzecie się na najpopularniejsze miejsce egzekucji w samym centrum Londynu i spotkacie najprawdziwszego kata, Jacka Ketcha. Zapoznacie się też ze smutną i szokującą historią Ann Green, która została powieszona na dziedzińcu oxfordzkiego więzienia, a potem zmartwychwstała.
Książeczka niezbyt obszerna, bo raptem 181 stron. Język dość łatwy, choć były fragmenty, które dały w kość z racji nazw własnych.
Baaaardzo polecam!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews