The English Year

by Steve Roud

"The English Year" is a lavishly illustrated month-by-month, day-by-day guide to all the customs and festivals of England, from the national celebrations to herald the new year down to small local traditions such as the Minehead Hobby Horse or Duck Racing in Oxfordshire. If you want to know where you can get free bread and beer on any day of the year; if you want to know where Mayday comes from or why you should protect yourself on Mischief Night; or why the English go in for all kinds of arcane celebrations but can't be bothered with St George's Day - this the book for you.

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

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 31, 2008

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

c2006. Fabulous book! I am using it to inspire trips and outings as it is a day by day guide. It also inspires some menu choices for example the 20th October is the time for the Colchester Oyster Festival - so I am either going to eat some oysters or travel to Essex! Highly recommended for all Anglophiles and those with an interest in the roots of some of the customs that have developed over time. Loved it.

[Emma Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book on one of our London bookshop travel days 12 months ago and what a gem its been. This is a book about English traditions, celebrations and culture, both past and present, some well-known others less so, the ordinary and the extraordinary all making for a very interesting read. Best enjoyed as a reference book to dip in and out of throughout the year rather than read straight through from page to page.

A fascinating book its contents of which have inspired family activities, excursions and culinary choices over the past year.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boyfriend had read this already and I decided to read this throughout the year.
This book is about English traditions and what each day represents. I.e Saints days etc. It has been throughly researched and I loved learning about how traditions have evolved over time as well as any superstitions and myths. I finished it early today to save packing it for New years!

A really interesting book with lots of history as well as a more up to date context of the traditions.

[Susan Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hefty book. Beautifully laid out making it easy to follow. Full of wonderful full colour photographs or drawings and so much information it's hard to take it all in.
I already love England and love being English (I'm well aware of the crooks in my country's history - there are saints and sinners in every land) but if anyone questions you on what being English is...this goes some way to uncovering the riches, quirks, traditions and heritage of my wonderful country.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly fantastic book, can't praise it enough. Not only astoundingly comprehensive, but witty, warm, affectionate and factual. Actually made me chuckle aloud several times. If you want to know more about the folkloric past and customs of the English, (also includes some Scottish, Irish &Welsh customs) get this book. It's fabulous.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Goodness me this was dull. I stuck with it as long as I could. The idea is really appealing, and I've read similar books on this theme, but this was boringly written. The author seems to have something against paganism, and although this wouldn't really bother me, it sometime got irritating. I gave it one star for the effort of writing it.

[Matthew Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often refer to this splendid book. Everyone knows some of our ancient customs: The Gloucestershire Cheese Roll and the Ashbourne annual football game for example. But there will be many new to you. I had consulted it because a teacher at the school where I work insisted Halloween is a pagan custom. Spoiler alert- it isn't....

[Jessica Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and nicely presented compendium of English calendar traditions and folk customs. In contrast to similar books it's more academic and down to earth. Your mileage may vary on how much that appeals!

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the sometimes bizarre customs of the English, as well as the manifold mutations of folklore. I read this month-by-month over the course of the year, which afforded some topical conversation fillers. I appreciated the author's attempts at taming such a weighty subject - the spotlights on historical complexities such as changes to the calendar, 'top-down' (elitist) impositions of tradition versus 'ground-up' or 'authentic' foklore, attitudes towards the past (the arcadian Merrie England), and the more modern and widespread fallacy that traditions surviving today are direct descendants of pagan customs (which for the large part is simply unsupportable). What I gained from this book is an appreciation of the variety, complexity, stubbornness, temerity - but also whimsy - and sheer idiosyncrasy of English folklore.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got around reading it after some fifteen years sitting on my bookshelf. Some impressive stories and histories around England. Plague Sunday will be remembered, such heroism!
Glad I committed to reading it, mostly on correct dates 😀

[[ J o ] · Rating 3 out of 5]

[ to review at a later date - possibly even re-read at a later date as well, though not urgent ]

[Johnathan Farris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting compendium of holidays and customs, but a reference book to consult on occasion rather than a book to work the entire way through.