Some things should be left exactly where they are.
A skull on a shelf.
A chair in an inn.
A stone on a hill.
A bell beneath a lake.
A sealed letter in a drawer.
A doll in an attic.
A figurehead rescued from a wreck.
British Myths And Legends: Cursed Objects And Unlucky Things is a richly atmospheric collection of folklore, superstition and uncanny object-lore from Britain's haunted imagination. Written in an evocative, witty and accessible style, this book explores twenty strange objects said to carry curses, warnings, memories, grief, protection or danger.
Inside this candlelit cabinet of curiosities, you will discover the Screaming Skull Of Bettiscombe, Busby's Stoop Chair, the Stone That Returned Home, the Bell Beneath The Lake, the Fairy Flag Of Dunvegan, the Hand Of Glory, the Witch Bottle In The Wall, the Haunted Mirror, the Cursed Ring, the Shoes In The Chimney, the Coffin Plate, the Goblet No One Should Drink From, the Clock That Stopped At Death, the Doll In The Attic, the Key To A Door That Vanished, the Book That Wrote Back, the Sealed Letter, the Sword In The Church, the Bone In The Box, and the Unlucky Figurehead.
This is folklore for readers who enjoy the eerie without needing outright horror, the historical without losing atmosphere, and the strange without abandoning wit. Each chapter blends narrative storytelling, cultural reflection and a strong sense of place, moving through old houses, churchyards, inns, castles, attics, moorland roads, ruined chapels and stormy harbours.
At its heart, this book asks a simple question:
When an object has absorbed enough human fear, love, guilt, grief or memory, is it ever truly only a thing?
Perfect for fans of British folklore, ghost stories, haunted history, cursed objects, strange antiques, gothic nonfiction, local legends, dark heritage and atmospheric myth collections.
Part of the British Myths And Legends series by Robin Wickens.