Dickson, Meri and Woodhead, Linda and Partridge, Christopher and Naguib, Shuruq (2026) Uncovering the Secret Commonwealth : The Socio-Cultural Significance and Influence of Fairy Belief and Modern Fairy Encounters in Twenty-First Century England. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.
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Abstract
Fairies and fairy-like beings have been a part of the folklore of the British Isles for as long as written records have existed. What are they and how do they affect the culture of the nation of England? This thesis traces the history and folklore of fairies and fairy belief and examines accounts of encounters recorded by people who claim to have seen or otherwise experienced fairies in the ‘real’ world. It forms a picture both of what fairies are like and what the people who experience them are like. It then goes on to analyse three main areas of English culture that are important to people today: nostalgia, enchantment and spirituality and how fairies have affected and continue to affect these areas. In terms of nostalgia, fairies create idyllic representations of the past that help people to endure the mundane and at times frightening aspects of the present. By using enchantment, including glamours, costumes, lights and magic, fairies enhance the ordinary, everyday environment of people, often for the purpose of tricking them or gaining help. In modern day spirituality, where established religions are declining in number and belief, New Age belief systems are filling up the gaps. Most recently, a fairy spirituality has developed, largely in the footprint of Wicca, wellbeing and oracular card readings, where fairies are elevated to the position of wise folk, ready and willing to give advice and comfort to human querants.