Twilight of the Godlings

Francis Young has written eighteen previous books in the fields of folklore and the history of religion and supernatural belief, including – most recently – Magic in Merlin's Realm (Cambridge University Press, 2022). A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he teaches courses on history, myth and religion for the Department for Continuing Education in the University of Oxford. In addition, he broadcasts regularly on folkloric and religious subjects for the BBC, and has twice been shortlisted for the prestigious Katharine Briggs Folklore Award awarded annually by the UK Folklore Society.

'As Francis Young acknowledges, folklore studies have moved away from the question of origins because of problematic past approaches. His new book boldly returns us to this question by reminding us of an important fact: that folklore is history and can (and should) be studied from a historical perspective, drawing on literary and material evidence to trace the development of folkloric figures. Because of its novel approach, the book will certainly appeal to historians and folklorists alike, bridging the divide between the two – and, with any luck, convincing each of the benefit of the other's viewpoint. Because of its accessibility, the book will also attract the general reader interested in folklore and history. Twilight of the Godlings is a brilliant achievement.' Ceri Houlbrook, Lecturer in Folklore and History, University of Hertfordshire

• Introduction; 1. A world full of small gods: understanding godlings; 2. Menagerie of the divine: godlings in Roman Britain; 3. The nymph and the cross: godlings and Christianisation; 4. Furies, elves and giants: godlings in early medieval Britain; 5. The fairy synthesis: godlings in later medieval Britain; Epilogue: the fairy legacy.