Sussex Roots: Folklore and mythology from Sussex, England

by The Untruth Seekers, Inez Rodk

Every May Day, bundles of branches tied with colourful ribbons appear on Hastings’ shopfronts and streetlamps. Drumming swells as crowds of green-clad bogies, festival-goers in shorts and t-shirts, and Morris dancers fill Hastings’ winding streets. And then comes the main Jack in the Green’s wizened face appears on a towering cone of leaves topped with a crown at the centre of the festivities. The Jack in the Green festival marks the passage of spring to summer. But from where does this bizarre tradition originate? The roots are too tangled to know for sure, and the first recording of the festival was in 1770. However, some believe celebrations of the ‘Green Man’ hail from the pagan Anglo-Saxons who established England’s historic county of Sussex, and the myth transformed with each subsequent generation. But Jack in the Green is only one of Sussex’s many mysteries. Fearsome beasts, terrifying giants, cackling witches, and plucky fairies are just a few of the creatures populating the folklore of this strange and savage land. Ending with the modern celebration of the Jack in the Green festival, this collection of stories traces the roots of Sussex’s centuries of tall tales, mythology, and folklore.

188 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2022

Reviews

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful set of stories by the Untruth Seekers! Each one of the characters is full of life, with interesting backstories that had me craving to know more. The prose is gorgeous, the pacing is spot-on, and the ending is perfectly wrapped up. I loved how there were small threads in each story, all of them tied together in a way that I can't imagine was easy to do.

This is the perfect book to read on a rainy day while cozied up in a blanket with a cup of hot tea. It's a must-read, especially for fans of folklore!

[Niki Rhys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of stories takes you through times of old to the present day, offering thrilling adventures, a dash of romance, and a heartwarming take on local lore. It's a must read for anyone who likes mythology, even just a little bit.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming collection of local stories. Some creatures were familiar (giants, witches, fairies) and some were new to me (knuckers, boggarts), and I knew about Jack-in-the-Green but didn't know much of the backstory. I still *technically* don't know much about JITG, tbh, but it seems like concrete facts are in short supply. The mystery is part of the fun, I guess :)

Regardless if the creatures are familiar or unfamiliar, the modern style made the retellings fresh and interesting. The writing was fast-paced and engaging, which made it easier to fly through the stories than some of the denser, more traditional folklore I've tried to read in the past. I love the unique settings of the stories and googled the locations as I read (and added them to my bucket list!)

I particularly enjoyed discovering the threads that connect the stories. Or rather, following the roots... Digging up the roots? I like the metaphor, but I'm finding it difficult to apply it here. Anyways, you get what I mean! It was fun to feel part of the region's ancient but ever-evolving story.

[J.R. Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every May Day, Hastings transforms into a vibrant tapestry of tradition with the Jack in the Green festival, marking the passage of spring to summer. This enchanting celebration, featuring green-clad revellers and a towering leafy figure, is the centrepiece of a delightful exploration of Sussex's folklore.

This collection beautifully weaves together tales of fearsome beasts, giants, witches, and fairies, tracing their roots back to the enigmatic origins of the Green Man. The author masterfully dances through time, blending folklore, myth, and history into a captivating narrative.

The atmospheric setting and rich storytelling inspired me as a fantasy writer—a truly blessed gift, as any writer will tell you! My only critique is that I yearned for more of the traditional folklore to make an appearance, but this anthology is very much a modernised twist on the tales. But it is an easily digestible read that I recommend to anyone interested in folklore and myth.

[Gina Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a delightful journey into the heart of Sussex's rich folklore. The vivid descriptions transport you to the crowded streets of Hastings, where you can practically hear the drumming and feel the energy of the festival. The writing is both informative and engaging, making it accessible to both folklore enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With each story, you feel like you’re being transported through time, witnessing the evolution of these myths and legends. It is a truly captivating book and I would highly recommend picking up a copy!

[Laurie Bowler]

Folklore is always interesting to read, but more so when crafted into well-written and creative stories. The folklore aspects were intricately and cleverly woven into an easier-to-read format, which will appeal to the modern reader.
The characters and vivid descriptions are well-written to the point I didn’t want to stop reading until I had finished. It is captivating, entertaining, and engaging to read without jargon or boring paragraphs. This is ideal for anyone who likes enchanting trips through history.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started like it was a series of unconnected tales based on real or not so real Sussex Folklore but as you got further along the stories all started to connect with one another. Leading to a modern day conclusion which takes place rather loosely at the Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green Festival. It was a quick read and not sure how much of the folklore is real Sussex or out of the minds of the authors. I am looking forward to reading their next book of Spooky Tales from Hastings.

[Rick Jebb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful journey into the myths and legends of Sussex.

Not exactly knowing what to expect, I was delighted by this inter twined collection of ancient stories and lore. I enjoyed these renditions, well told, and laced together, weaving back into time and connecting to the future.

There is more to the world than we know, and Sussex Roots brings a slice of mystery to life in these delightfully frightful tales.

This was an easy and adventurous read. Well done!

[Christina Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an American, I knew nothing of Sussex folklore. The intro has a hint of humor I quite enjoyed and the creatures they introduced were interesting and fearsome. I most enjoyed that many of the stories were interwoven forming a larger story. The last few episodes are nearly modern day yet even they relate to the old tales showing the relevance of these stories still today. I enjoyed this very much!

[Amelia Marriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting mix of old tales in a modern context. Ancient tales are ideal fodder for new ideas and stories. Even though we may believe we have become more sophisticated as we have progressed into the 21st century, most of us are still afraid of the dark, and this book reminds us why. Get cosy and enjoy!

[J.D. Easterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy exploring mythology and folklore. I appreciated the breaks in narrative the style the author delivers the stories. It reminded me of Jim Henson's 'Story Teller', a favorite of mine since childhood.

Enjoy whimsy, folklore, exploring new worlds and meeting new creatures? Pick up Sussex Roots.

[A.S. Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mythology for those interested

Rather than this be 12 separate myths and legends of the Sussex area, this is more like one interconnected story with 12 distinct parts. It's a fascinating read that really puts the readers into a bygone era of monsters, witches and devils while still feeling like it's very much a part of our world today. Really recommend.

[Lisa Towles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written and enchanting trip back through history.