"Cap-o'-Rushes" is an English fairy tale published by Joseph Jacobs in English Fairy Tales.[1]
Jacobs gives his source as "Contributed by Mrs. Walter-Thomas to "Suffolk Notes and Queries" of the Ipswich Journal, published by Mr. Lang in Longman's Magazine, vol. xiii., also in Folk-Lore September, 1890". In the latter journal, Andrew Lang notes the folktale was "discovered" in the Suffolk notes by Edward Clodd.[2]
Marian Roalfe Cox, in her pioneering study of Cinderella, identified as one of the basic types, the King Lear decision, contrasting with Cinderella itself and Catskin.[3]
It is Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index type ATU 510B, "Unnatural Love". Others of this type include Little Cat Skin, Donkeyskin, Catskin, Allerleirauh, The King Who Wished to Marry His Daughter, The She-Bear, Mossycoat, Tattercoats, The Princess That Wore A Rabbit-Skin Dress, The Bear and The Princess in the Suit of Leather.[4]
It was the first story read on the BBC series Jackanory.