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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Jack and the Beanstalk
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Folk tale found in different versions round the world, but first published in English in 1734 as a parody of popular nonsense. It survived to become a favourite story for *pantomimes. Jack is a spoilt boy in King *Alfred's time who sells his mother's cow for some beans. From them grows a huge beanstalk. Jack climbs it, and finds living at the top a giant who killed Jack's father; he steals from the giant his hen that lays golden eggs, his money bags and his harp which cries out to warn its master. Pursued down the beanstalk, Jack cuts it down just in time and the giant falls to his death.
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