Cloven Country: The Devil and the English Landscape

ISBN: 1789148332

Author: Harte, Jeremy

Condition: New

Now in paperback, an exploration of the myths of Englands deceptively bucolic rolling hills and country lanes believed to be created and shaped by the Dark Lord himself.According to legend, the English landscape-so calm on the surface-is really the Devils work. Cloven Country tells of rocks hurled into place and valleys carved out by infernal labor. The Devils hideous strength laid down great roads in one night and left scars everywhere as the hard stone melted like wax under those burning feet. With roots in medieval folklore of giants and spirits, this is not the Satan of prayer, but a clumsy ogre, easily fooled by humankind. When a smart cobbler or cunning young wife outwitted him, they struck a blow for the underdog. Only the wicked squire and grasping merchant were beyond redemption, carried off by a black huntsman in the storm. Cloven Country offers a fascinating panorama of these decidedly sinister English tales.