--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All three of the English types I have…" description: "\"“All three of the English types I have mentioned can, I think, be accounted for as the results of the presence of different cultures, existing side by ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1c/lewis-spence-26565_different-cultures_all-three-of-the-english-types-i-have-me_716375.jpg" --- # All three of the English types I have mentioned can, I… ![“All three of the English types I have mentioned can, I think, be accounted for as the results of the presence of different cultures, existing side by side in the country, and who were the creation of the folk in ages distantly removed one from another. In a word, they represent specific " strata"…” quote by Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1c/lewis-spence-26565_different-cultures_all-three-of-the-english-types-i-have-me_716375.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1c/lewis-spence-26565_different-cultures_all-three-of-the-english-types-i-have-me_716375.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1c/lewis-spence-26565_different-cultures_all-three-of-the-english-types-i-have-me_716375.jpg) > ““All three of the English types I have mentioned can, I think, be accounted for as the results of the presence of different cultures, existing side by side in the country, and who were the creation of the folk in ages distantly removed one from another. In a word, they represent specific " strata" of folk-imagination. The most diminutive of all are very probably to be associated with a New Stone Age conception of spirits which haunted burial-mounds and rude stone monuments. We find such tiny spirits haunting the great stone circles of Brittany. The "Small People," or diminutive fairies of Cornwall, says Hunt, are believed to be "the spirits of people who inhabited Cornwall many thousands of years ago. "The spriggans, of the same area, are a minute and hirsute family of fairies" found only about the cairns, cromlechs, barrows, or detached stones, with which it is unlucky to meddle." Of these, the tiny fairies of Shakespeare, Drayton, and the Elizabethans appear to me to be the later representatives. The latter are certainly not the creation of seventeenth-century poets, as has been stated, but of the aboriginal folk of Britain.”” [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote explains that various English folklore creatures stem from layered cultural influences over time, each representing different historical imagination strata. **In simple terms:** Folklore creatures reflect successive cultural layers. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural roots of myths. Themes folklore culture history mythology anthropology Mood curious analytical Type academic informative When to use this quote - anthropology research - heritage tourism - storytelling workshops - educational curricula Key Concepts cultural stratification folk imagination historical layers Questions to Reflect On - How do contemporary cultures reinterpret ancient myths? - What does this layering reveal about cultural identity? A Different Perspective Modern interpretations may oversimplify complex origins. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Different cultures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-cultures/) [Faerie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faerie/) [Faeries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faeries/) [Faery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faery/) [Fairies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairies/) [Fairy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairy/) [Side by side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side-by-side/) [Stone age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stone-age/) ## Related quotes > [“Some discussion of the nature and temperament of the fairies is necessary in view of its possible bearing on their origin. J. G. Campbell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/some-discussion-of-the-nature-and-temperament-of-the-fairies-is/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“In all likelihood fairies of larger stature were ancient gods in a state of decay, while their diminutive congeners were the swarming spirits of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/in-all-likelihood-fairies-of-larger-stature-were-ancient-gods-in-a/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“And there, on that road, that very minute, he started to play - the most lonesome music that them priests ever in their lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-lenihan/and-there-on-that-road-that-very-minute-he-started-to-play-the-most/) [Eddie Lenihan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-lenihan/) > [“Though sometimes we'd end up debating whether or not not faery terms like Gwragedd Annwn and hobyahs were legal to use”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/though-sometimes-we-d-end-up-debating-whether-or-not-not-faery-terms/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“He reached out and caressed her face. With a serious expression, he traced the edge of her jaw with his thumb. "You‘re beautiful, Ani.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/he-reached-out-and-caressed-her-face-with-a-serious-expression-he/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) > [“In prehistoric times, early man was bowled over by natural events: rain, thunder, lightning, the violent shaking and moving of the ground, mountains spewing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/signe-pike/in-prehistoric-times-early-man-was-bowled-over-by-natural-events-rain/) Signe Pike > [“I looked at Ash over the table; his silver gaze met mine, and I felt my heart swell in my chest. I was in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/i-looked-at-ash-over-the-table-his-silver-gaze-met-mine-and-i-felt-my/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“On November Eve they are at their gloomiest, for according to the old Gaelic reckoning, this is the first night of winter. This night…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-b-yeats/on-november-eve-they-are-at-their-gloomiest-for-according-to-the-old/) [W.B. Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-b-yeats/) > [The Land of Faery, Where nobody gets old and godly and grave, Where nobody gets old and crafty and wise, Where nobody gets old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/the-land-of-faery-where-nobody-gets-old-and-godly-and-grave-where/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [“To hold the Gift is to protect the balance in all things and to restore harmony. To hold the Gift is to comfort the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-harper/to-hold-the-gift-is-to-protect-the-balance-in-all-things-and-to/) [Dani Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-harper/) > [“He wanted a faery. More than anything else in the world. He had already imagined exactly how it should happen. He would set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-bachmann/he-wanted-a-faery-more-than-anything-else-in-the-world-he-had-already/) [Stefan Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-bachmann/) > [“THE STOLEN CHILD Where dips the rocky highland Of Sleuth Wood in the lake, There lies a leafy island Where flapping herons wake The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/the-stolen-child-where-dips-the-rocky-highland-of-sleuth-wood-in-the/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [“WEST SALEM ~ October 2011 A sudden vision, fraught with malevolence and darkness, obscured her sight. The face of a menacing figure turned from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cherie-de-sues/west-salem-october-2011-a-sudden-vision-fraught-with-malevolence-and/) Cherie De Sues > [“You’re an idiot, half-breed,” she taunted, as I kicked snow at her. She dodged easily. “Rowan’s too good for you, and he’s experienced. Most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/you-re-an-idiot-half-breed-she-taunted-as-i-kicked-snow-at-her-she/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Aye, well, it’s like a battle. Ya lay yer plans, then when they go wrong, ya make things up as ya go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-harper/aye-well-it-s-like-a-battle-ya-lay-yer-plans-then-when-they-go-wrong/) [Dani Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-harper/) ## More by Lewis Spence > [“If we turn now to such vestiges of cult as are associated otherwise than with time and season, we discover a definite recognition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/if-we-turn-now-to-such-vestiges-of-cult-as-are-associated-otherwise/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“As Mr. R. U. Sayee has well said: 'It should be clear a priori that fairy lore must have developed as a result of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/as-mr-r-u-sayee-has-well-said-it-should-be-clear-a-priori-that-fairy/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“But I find it necessary to repeat in this particular place that the division into classes, which is so salient a part of modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/but-i-find-it-necessary-to-repeat-in-this-particular-place-that-the/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“But this is not to say that a highly specialized body of belief such as that associated with Faerie is not capable of subsidiary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/but-this-is-not-to-say-that-a-highly-specialized-body-of-belief-such/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“As regards the prohibition on the utterance of the fairy name by mortals, either that of the species as a whole, or of individuals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/as-regards-the-prohibition-on-the-utterance-of-the-fairy-name-by/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“Here it is necessary briefly to consider the question of the cult of ancestors before venturing farther. The spirits of the departed are believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/here-it-is-necessary-briefly-to-consider-the-question-of-the-cult-of/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“At Bealltainn, or May Day, every effort was made to scare away the fairies, who were particularly dreaded at this season. In the West…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/at-bealltainn-or-may-day-every-effort-was-made-to-scare-away-the/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“In my view the study of fairy origins assumes a greater degree of importance than popular opinion is wont to concede to it. Indeed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/in-my-view-the-study-of-fairy-origins-assumes-a-greater-degree-of/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“It must be understood that in some cases the process by which a god or goddess degenerates into a fairy may occupy centuries, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/it-must-be-understood-that-in-some-cases-the-process-by-which-a-god/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“Robert Kirk believed the fairies to be the doubles or, as he called them, the 'co-walkers' of men, which accompanied them through life, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/robert-kirk-believed-the-fairies-to-be-the-doubles-or-as-he-called/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“I should add, however, that, particularly on the occasion of Samhain, bonfires were lit with the express intention of scaring away the demonic forces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/i-should-add-however-that-particularly-on-the-occasion-of-samhain/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“It must not be thought, however, that in pagan Ireland Fairyland was altogether conceived as a Hades or place of the dead. We have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/it-must-not-be-thought-however-that-in-pagan-ireland-fairyland-was/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“To sum up: all nature-spirits are not the same as fairies; nor are all fairies nature-spirits. The same applies to the relationship of nature-spirits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/to-sum-up-all-nature-spirits-are-not-the-same-as-fairies-nor-are-all/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“In all likelihood fairies of larger stature were ancient gods in a state of decay, while their diminutive congeners were the swarming spirits of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/in-all-likelihood-fairies-of-larger-stature-were-ancient-gods-in-a/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) > [“...some evidence seems to exist that an idea prevailed that in the fairy sphere there is a reversal of the seasons, our winter being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-spence/some-evidence-seems-to-exist-that-an-idea-prevailed-that-in-the-fairy/) [Lewis Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) [Explore all 21 Lewis Spence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-spence/) ## More Different cultures quotes > [LEGO is universal. So many people enjoy it, from all different walks of life, all different ages, all different cultures. When I was in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-sawaya/lego-is-universal-so-many-people-enjoy-it-from-all-different-walks-of/) [Nathan Sawaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-sawaya/) > [I was playing surf music with my band when a girlfriend of mine who had come from Los Angeles took me to a James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-b-schmit/i-was-playing-surf-music-with-my-band-when-a-girlfriend-of-mine-who/) [Timothy B. Schmit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-b-schmit/) > [We West Indian cricketers are always proud to play for the West Indies and we know we are made up of different islands and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-lara/we-west-indian-cricketers-are-always-proud-to-play-for-the-west/) [Brian Lara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-lara/) > [I wasn't paid a dime for my track career. But participating in the Olympics gave me the opportunity to learn about different cultures; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyomia-tyus/i-wasn-t-paid-a-dime-for-my-track-career-but-participating-in-the/) Wyomia Tyus > [I've always enjoyed traveling and having experience with different cultures and different people. But it's also a wonderful thing to be able to benefit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-clark/i-ve-always-enjoyed-traveling-and-having-experience-with-different/) [Laurel Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-clark/) > [“Latino history is like a river dividing the United States and Mexico. It is shared by several different cultures and called by many different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilan-stavans/latino-history-is-like-a-river-dividing-the-united-states-and-mexico/) Ilan Stavans > [My parents put me in the water very early, and also had me skiing at a very early age. They put me on skis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benoit-lecomte/my-parents-put-me-in-the-water-very-early-and-also-had-me-skiing-at-a/) [Benoit Lecomte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benoit-lecomte/) > [It's useful to be born in a different culture because you see things that are not obvious. I come from France. In France, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francoise-mouly/it-s-useful-to-be-born-in-a-different-culture-because-you-see-things/) [Francoise Mouly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francoise-mouly/) > [I like to travel, man. I been to Europe - you know, Spain. Dominican, Aruba, Costa Rica. Just to learn about different cultures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-ramirez/i-like-to-travel-man-i-been-to-europe-you-know-spain-dominican-aruba/) [Manny Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-ramirez/) > [There is the philosophy embedded in the culture we are living. It is quite clear for example that Arabs have a different culture than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/there-is-the-philosophy-embedded-in-the-culture-we-are-living-it-is/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [ Wisdom and white hair might not be as valued \[in our society\] as in different cultures. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karla-souza/wisdom-and-white-hair-might-not-be-as-valued-in-our-society-as-in/) [Karla Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karla-souza/) > [The role of globalization is to homogenize all cultures, and to turn them into commodified markets, and therefore, to make them easier for global…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-mander/the-role-of-globalization-is-to-homogenize-all-cultures-and-to-turn/) [Jerry Mander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-mander/) > [In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/in-a-world-darkened-by-ethnic-conflicts-that-tear-nations-apart/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [“We talk about pluralism, multi-culturalism and tolerance. But I hope we are moving toward a time when we don't just "tolerate" people from different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-shelby/we-talk-about-pluralism-multi-culturalism-and-tolerance-but-i-hope-we/) Anne Shelby > [“The anthropologist Margaret Mead concluded in 1948, after observing seven different ethnic groups in the Pacific Islands, that different cultures made different forms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/the-anthropologist-margaret-mead-concluded-in-1948-after-observing/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) [Browse all 358 Different cultures quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-cultures/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“All three of the English types I have mentioned can, I think, be accounted for as the results of the presence of different cultures, existing side by side in the country, and who were the creation of the folk in ages distantly removed one from another. In a word, they represent specific \" strata\" of folk-imagination. The most diminutive of all are very probably to be associated with a New Stone Age conception of spirits which haunted burial-mounds and rude stone monuments. We find such tiny spirits haunting the great stone circles of Brittany. The \"Small People,\" or diminutive fairies of Cornwall, says Hunt, are believed to be \"the spirits of people who inhabited Cornwall many thousands of years ago. \"The spriggans, of the same area, are a minute and hirsute family of fairies\" found only about the cairns, cromlechs, barrows, or detached stones, with which it is unlucky to meddle.\" Of these, the tiny fairies of Shakespeare, Drayton, and the Elizabethans appear to me to be the later representatives. 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