The Little History of Storytelling in Cornwall

A chronological summary of all that is known of storytelling in Cornwall, from Bardic times to the present day.

Tales of Cornish folklore have been told for centuries. Where did these tales come from? How old are they? Who told them? Explore the world of epic tales, fireside stories and side-splitting dialect recitations.

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.