The Little History of Storytelling in Cornwall

Author: O'Connor, Mike

Cornwall

Published on 3 July 2025 by The History Press Ltd in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Little History of' series.

Paperback / softback | 30 Illustrations, black and white
130 x 198 x 20 | 238g

Cornwall's storytelling tradition stretches back a thousand years. Before TV and radio, stories were told among the flickering shadows at the fireside. They whiled away the travellers’ miles, long hours in the fields, and days at sea. They gladdened brief moments of relaxation for miners and bal-maidens. Travelling storytellers wandered from village to village swapping words for supper, and a rich local dialect brought the tales to life. Classic Cornish tales such as the Mermaid of Zennor and Jan Tregeagle are wonderfully entertaining, and collectively tell us much about Cornwall, its people, and its history.

Join accomplished storyteller, scholar and writer Mike O'Connor as he explores the ‘when, where, and why’ of Cornish folk tales and celebrates the rich traditions and cultural legacy of hwedhlow.