William Bottrell
Stories and folk-lore of West Cornwall. Third Series
"Stories and Folk-lore of West Cornwall. Third Series" by William Bottrell is a collection of folk tales, legends, and local traditions compiled in the late 19th century. The anthology presents the beliefs, supernatural occurrences, and rural customs of Cornwall, focusing on storytelling as it was preserved among local people. Readers can expect accounts of ghosts, witches, demonic encounters, village feasts, old sports, and superstitions, reflecting the unique character and mythology of the Cornish countryside. The opening of the book sets the scene with a preface noting the author’s failing health and situates the work within the growing interest in folk-lore studies of the era. It then introduces a table of contents showing a rich mix of legends, ghost stories, supernatural events, and local customs. The initial stories describe the figure of Mr. Wood, a Rector skilled in exorcism, astrology, and community leadership, who helps his parishioners face supernatural threats. Notable tales include Jackey Trevail’s wrestling match with a devil and the exorcism of ghosts haunting an old Cornish mansion. The early chapters are lively and full of local color, ghostly encounters, Cornish dialect, and insight into both the magical and everyday realities of rural Cornwall.