This book examines the role the Druids may have played in the story of King Arthur and the founding of Britain. It explains how the Druids originated, bringing to early Britain a cult of an underworld deity, a belief in reincarnation, and a keen interest in astronomy. The work concludes that Arthur was originally a Druid cult figure--Provided by publisher.
Exploring the rich history of magic in the British Isles, the book delves into the practices of both benevolent and malign magic from the Iron Age to the Roman Empire. It highlights the use of curse tablets, which were inscribed metal plates meant to inflict harm, and examines the ritual curses employed by the Anglo-Saxons in their documents, alongside spells and charms. This fascinating account reveals how magic has been interwoven with the cultural and historical fabric of the region over centuries.
The cult of saints and the Virgin Mary in medieval Britain
The book explores the dramatic transformation of Britain during the late 1530s when Henry VIII's dissolution of monasteries led to the rapid decline of a vibrant culture filled with saints and religious shrines. It highlights the profound impact of this upheaval on society, faith, and the landscape, illustrating how a rich spiritual heritage was dismantled almost overnight. Through historical analysis, the narrative sheds light on the cultural and religious shifts that defined this pivotal moment in British history.
Exploring the Celtic relationship with water, this book delves into practices from the Late Bronze Age to the Roman period, highlighting the significance of lakes and rivers for the Celts in Gaul and Britain. It contrasts ancient Celtic rituals of depositing treasures in water with later Christian traditions of building monasteries on islands. The narrative also covers the construction of crannogs by Scots and the influence of Anglo-Saxon and Norman practices, including the rise of holy wells, showcasing the evolving cultural landscape surrounding watery places.
Britain has a rich folklore, and the most fascinating figures in British folkore are undoubtedly fairies, who were first described in the Middle Ages, but were most fully analysed by 19th century Victorians, who were clearly intrigued by them.