This book explores relationships between historical individuals and Cornish legends. The Cornish folklorists. How the Brontës' novels were influenced by Cornish folk tales and other stories of their aunt Elizabeth Branwell. The women whose lives were affected by men on whom the legend of 'Cruel Coppinger' may have been based. When and how the Cornish woman Mary Broad's experiences were reinvented to create the legendary Mary Bryant. The choice of subjects make it clear that 'legends' is not used here to only refer to folk lore.