Cloven Country : The Devil and the English Landscape

Author: Harte, Jeremy

British & Irish history

Published on 1 September 2023 by REAKTION BOOKS in the United Kingdom.

Paperback / softback | 296 pages, 36 illustrations
197 x 130 x 21 | 278g

According to legend, the English landscape – so calm on the surface – is really the Devil’s work. Cloven Country, now in paperback, tells of rocks hurled into place and valleys carved out by infernal labour. The Devil’s 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, 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.