Traditions of Lancashire (Vol. 1&2)

National traditions serve to throw light upon ancient and modern mythology; and in many instances they are known to preserve traces of their fabulous descent, as will clearly appear in some of the following selections. It is the same with those of all nations, whether of eastern or western origin, Greek, Scythian, or Kamtschatkan. And hence, among every people just emerged out of a state of barbarism, the same causes lead to the production of similar compositions; and a chain of connection is thus established between the fables of different nations, only varied by clime and custom, sufficient to prove, not merely a degree of harmony, but secret interchanges and communications.
Content:
SIR TARQUIN
THE GOBLIN BUILDERS
MAB'S CROSS
THE PRIOR OF BURSCOUGH
THE EAGLE AND CHILD
THE BLACK KNIGHT OF ASHTON
FAIR ELLEN OF RADCLIFFE
THE ABBOT OF WHALLEY
SIR EDWARD STANLEY
GEORGE MARSH, THE MARTYR
DR DEE, THE ASTROLOGER
THE SEER
THE EARL OF TYRONE
HOGHTON TOWER
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES
PART THIRD
SIEGE OF LATHOM.
RAVEN CASTLE
THE PHANTOM VOICE
THE BAR-GAIST
THE HAUNTED MANOR-HOUSE
CLITHEROE CASTLE
THE LAST OF THE LACIES
THE GREY MAN OF THE WOOD; OR, THE SECRET MINE
THE FAIRIES' CHAPEL
THE LUCK OF MUNCASTER
THE PEEL OF FOULDREY
A LEGEND OF BEWSEY
THE BLESSING
THE DULE UPO' DUN.
WINDLESHAW ABBEY
CLEGG HALL
THE MERMAID OF MARTIN MEER
GEORGE FOX
THE DEMON OF THE WELL
THE SANDS
THE RING AND THE CLIFF
THE DEAD MAN'S HAND
THE LOST FARM
THE MAID'S STRATAGEM
THE SKULL HOUSE
RIVINGTON PIKE
MOTHER RED-CAP
THE DEATH-PAINTER
THE CRYSTAL GOBLET

John Roby (1793-1850) was an English banker, poet, and writer. In some respects, Roby's efforts presaged later work in folkloristics. He used the term "oral tradition" long before it came into common academic usage. He noticed and wrote about similarities between folk beliefs in different regions in different eras. Roby denied any authority as a folklorist (antiquarian) and instead called himself simply a collector of oral traditions.