JOURNAL ARTICLE

William Baldwin's Source for the Tales of Irish Shape-Shifting in Beware the Cat: A New Consideration.

  • Published In: Notes & Queries, 2025, v. 72, n. 1. P. 36 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Lucas, Scott 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses the origins of Irish shape-shifting tales in William Baldwin's Beware the Cat, suggesting that Baldwin may have derived these anecdotes from Gerald of Wales' Topographia Hibernica. However, the article points out discrepancies in the presentation of these tales, indicating that Baldwin's source may have been William Caxton's works, Description of Britain and Polychronicon. The article highlights similarities between Baldwin's accounts and Caxton's renderings, proposing that Baldwin likely encountered these stories in Caxton's printed works, which were more accessible in Edwardian England than Gerald's manuscript. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Notes & Queries. 2025/03, Vol. 72, Issue 1, p36
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0029-3970
  • DOI:10.1093/notesj/gjaf009
  • Accession Number:184955054
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