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The Wise Men of Gotham

Archive File: LAVC/SRP/2/156

Details

Type of record: Archive

Title: The Wise Men of Gotham

Level: File

Classmark: LAVC/SRP/2/156

Creator(s): Lewis, Wendy Hilary

Site Location(s): Subject - Gotham, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom( 52.868, -1.20558 )

Date(s): 1974

Size and medium: 55 unbound typed leaves; 1 colour photograph.

Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/410192

Collection group(s): Leeds Archive of Vernacular Culture

Description

An examination of thirty-four tales told by, and of, the people of Gotham in Nottinghamshire, with reference both to published and oral versions of stories which tell of the foolishness and trickery of the villagers. Twenty tales were originally compiled, supposedly by Andrew Borde, and printed in 1630 under the title 'Merrie Tales of the Mad Men of Gotham'. The collector includes transcripts of these, along with fourteen further examples collected orally by others, and by herself during fieldwork interviews with nine local people. The study examines both the similarities between the tales told in Gotham and those told in/about other villages in England and abroad, and the theories put forward to explain their existence. Examples from thirteen other English localities are included. The study concludes with an examination of some of the many literary allusions to the Gotham tales, and consideration of the differences and similarities between the oral and published tales.

Access and usage

Reproduction

Access

The theses and dissertations in this subfonds are available for consultation in the searchroom of Special Collections, University of Leeds, by all bona fide researchers. Conditions relating to access and use have, in a number of cases, been applied to particular items by individual depositors. These are noted within the relevant individual records.

Material in this collection is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can only be supplied by the Library for research or private study within the terms of copyright legislation. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.

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