Product Description
This is the first survey of religious beliefs in the British Isles from the Stone Age to the coming of Christianity. Hutton draws upon a wealth of new data to reveal some important rethinking about Christianization and the decline of paganism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Very edifying
I am perplexed by other comments on this work that call the book "depressing".Professor Hutton provides a nicely rounded survey of the fields that contribute to our current knowledge of this area of history.

The work is dense for the average reader, and I recommend finding images online or in other texts to help clarify his descriptions of artifacts.I also recommend reading the literary sources that he mentions, while keeping in mind the problems with taking these sources at face value.

Professor Hutton has a way of addressing topics with a Neopagan readership in mind, carefully highlighting the value of those beliefs that have no basis in historic fact.While it continues to depress and disappoint a minority that the Morganwg, Graves, Frazer, and Murray vision (not to mention modern authors galore) is not factual, I like to think that the larger percentage of us Neopagans can love our religions without needing to legitimate them through revisionist history.

A very dry and negative book presenting the academic point of view
This is a very depressing book which asserts that nothing is known about the old religions
of england, and that nothing can be known and that anyone who tries is a fool.If you are
trying to get your doctorate in prehistory and need to learn how to be condescending and
discouraging, this is the book for you.

An Interpretation of the Modern, not the Ancient Pagan Religions
This book appears to cover an incredibly ambitious span of
time. Hutton's doctoral thesis dealt with the English Civil
War, and, in this book and his books on druids, he is concerned
with modern interpretations of pre-Christian religions. He
spends little time examining the early evidence in Gaelic
even in translation. He is not aware of its extent or meaning
because that is not his area of expertise.

Anyone wanting such evidence and a good discussion of it
would be better off reading books such as Dáithi O hOgáin's
'The Sacred Isle', Christian Gyonvarc'h's 'The Making of a
Druid: Hidden Teachings from The Colloquy of the Two
Sages', Máire MacNeill's 'The Festival of Lughnasa',
Proinseas MacCana's Celtic Mythology' and many others.

Fergus Kelly wrote about the declining prestige of the druids
in 'A Guide to Early Irish Law':

'Tradition preserved in the [Gaelic] sagas and saints' lives
indicate that the druids of pre-Christian Ireland had
a similarly high status to their British and continental counterparts,
the 'druides'of Latin sources. The druid ... was priest, prophet,
astrologer and teacher of the sons of nobles. According to the
6th century 'First Synod of Saint Patrick' oaths were sworn in his
presence. By the time of the law texts of the 7-8th centuries it is
clear that the advance of Christianity had reduced his position to
that of sorcerer or witch doctor. He is discriminated against in law:
'Bretha Crólige' [a law text] insists that the druid (along with the
satirist and brigand) is entitled to sick-maintenance only at the
level of 'boaire' [cowman, a freeman] ... However, he retains
enough influence to secure inclusion among the 'doernemeds'
[unfree people of the sacred class] of Uraicecht Brec' [another
law text].' (Kelly, 1988, 59-60)

So druids survived well into the Early Middle Ages.

'Immacallam an dá Thúarad' (The Colloquy of the Two Sages),
is preserved in 'The Book ofLeinster', a collection of different
manuscripts. The 'Immacallam' is a dialogue between two druids concerning the knowledge required to become an 'ollam',
the highest druid grade, often translated as 'doctor'. One may
question whether or not the 'Immacallam' was written by a
literate druid, but to me it has a ring of antiquity
and authenticity even in English translation.

Sources like these must studied before making any conclusions
about the religion of the druids.

Clarity at last!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ronald Hutton, for clearing up all the murky waters surrounding the current Wicca craze. Having been in and out of a "coven," as part of an ongoing exploration of religions, I can now see that my natural skepticism had its foundations in truth. I'm so relieved to know where all this claptrap came from, and that it has little or no relation to the ancient Celtic pagan religion. I agree with Hutton that it's fine for people to make up their religions, just let them be honest about it. I also appreciated Hutton's discussion concerning the difference between religion and magic. Other reviewers have called this work "dry", but I was fascinated to the last page--not tempted to skip a line. Would that the author would turn his considerable talents to the exploration of the folklore and magic of other cultures!

Very good in some areas, but not in others.
This book is at once impressive and flawed.Despite its substantial flaws however, it is a book worth reading.Hutton has tried to produce a comprensive survey on the topic of pre-Christian religion in the British isles and while he has missed that mark substantially, the book is, in its own way, an important contribution to the field.The author's biases against both schools of thought and academic disciplines deeply wounds this work, but treasures remain within it nonetheless.

The most impressive parts of the book cover paleolithic and neolithic burial customs, art, and archaeology.In these areas, Hutton discusses in reasonable detail the archaeology of stone-age Britain.In these areas, Hutton is at his best:There is little that the fields that Hutton so obviously despises (comparative mythology, philology, etc) can tell us of these times so the few counter-examples are really not worth noting.In these areas the book is quite valuable in that it attempts to put together a basic picture of what is known.

On the other hand, the portions concerning the pre-Roman Britons and pre-Christian Irish are mediocre at best.Hutton here finds conclusively rebutted by authors (such a Alwyn and Brinley Rees) who came significantly before him.In fact careful folklore surveys and philology have both shed a great deal of light on many areas of insular Celtic religion, at least in Ireland (and less so in Wales).This is, of course, understandable.Just as archaeology is a very technical discipline, so is philology.It is clearly too much to ask of Hutton that he masters both.Nonetheless, a casual reader would find it interesting how much the philologists and archaeologists disagree (this is a typical problem not limited to this work).

Worse, Hutton gets a number of important points quite simply wrong.He states that Ogham existed prior to Christianization while all evidence we have today suggests that Ogham came out of post-conversion groups and was deeply influenced by the Latin alphabet and classical (Greek and Latin) rhetorical theory (see "A Guide to Ogham" by Damian McMannus).His discussion of Havamal and Odhinn is not much better (suggesting that the scene of Odhinn hanging from the tree is a transference from Christianity).What seems "obvious" to Professor Hutton seems to be based even less on structured inquiry and even more on personal taste than the largely abandoned theories of Gimbutas which he disparages.

In essence his archaeology seems reasonably good, but his textual studies seem quite bad.

On the whole, I would say that this book contributed significantly to my knowledge of the subject matter.I would recommend it to others but would caution the reader to understand that there is a significant bias to the work. ... Read more

Product Description
Book Description:

"Despite the title, this book is actually a study of Welsh fairy folklore." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher's Preface; Fairy Tales And The Ancient Mythology; Classification Of Welsh Fairies; Lake Fairies; Mountain Fairies; Changelings; Living With The Tylwyth Teg; Fairy Music; Fairy Rings; Piety As A Protection From The Seductions Of The Tylwyth Teg; Fairy Money And Fairy Gifts In General; Origins Of Welsh Fairies

About the Publisher:

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org

Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes. ... Read more

Product Description
"ACCORDING to a well-known law of our nature, effects suggest causes; and another law, perhaps equally general, impels us to ascribe to the actual and efficient cause the attribute of intelligence. The mind of the deepest philosopher is thus acted upon equally with that of the peasant or the savage; the only difference lies in the nature of the intelligent cause at which they respectively stop. The one pursues the chain of cause and effect, and traces out its various links till he arrives at the great intelligent cause of all, however he may designate him; the other, when unusual phenomena excite his attention, ascribes their production to the immediate agency of some of the inferior beings recognised by his legendary creed..."

360 pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Useless Without Table of Contents
The Kindle edition is very disappointing - it has no Table of Contents.

The actual book's Table of Contents is lengthy and divided into the mythologies of many places. The Fairy Mythology isn't the sort of book you read cover to cover, but read in small doses, or to look up a particular myth. That's impossible in this edition.

I'm holding on to my dtb until a table of contents is added.
... Read more

Product Description
Tsimshian Mythology ... Read more

Product Description
PREFACE. - THE first section of the ensuing Essay, effects the principal objects of a Preface; yet the Author has not the confidence" to intrude upon his Reader, without premising a few pagesJ to bespeak his attention, and conciliate his esteem - without offering some apology for the nature of his subject, and the manner in which it has been treated. To some pe.rsons, the utility of such a work may not be obviou$. It may be "asked~l¥hat interest has the pt'eSf!llt age, in a I()iew of tlte cr1'or$ and prtjudices of the Pagan Britons? To obviate this, and similar inquiries, I would suggest the reflection, tha.t the history of "mankind iSJ in a great measure, the history of errors and prejudices- that the superstition we have now to contemplate, howe·er absurd in itself, affected the gencrat tone of thinking in several districts of. Britain- that its influence continued to recent times, and has scarcely vanished, at the preseot day. To an age of general inquiry,

Table of Contents

THE; CONTENTS; SECTION I; l'RELnIINARV ODSFRVATJ ONS O~ Tn E VRITTEN MO- Il' " ? ? , ?; NU)IENTS 01-' THE EARLY nRITONS-THE~R AUTHENTICITY; PROVED, JlY Tn ~ TEST OF CLASSICA~ A N-; " l , n; TIQU LTY - - - - - - - - - ~ age 1-84; SECTION II; GENERAL VIEW OF DIWIDICAL TlIEOLOGY'-CHARACTER; AN D RITES OF UU, THE }IELIO-APKITE GOD-T}IE; JlACCHUS OF THE HEATHEN DRITONS, Page 65-182; SECTION III; THE CHARACTER, CON~EXJONS, AND MYSTICAL lUTES; ov KED, OR CERIDWEN, 1"nE ARKITE GODDESS Oli; THE DRUIDS-HER IDEXTITY WITII TI1E CERES OF; I I; A NTIQUITV, - - - - Page 183-290; SECTION IV; THE DESIGN OF TIlE CIRCULAR TEMPLES AND CROMLECHS; 01' THE DRUJ DS-ORI GIN AL DOCUMENTS REr; ATIVE TO THE CELEDRATED STRUCTURE OF STOXEHENGE,; - - - - - Page 291-410; (THE GODODIN, Page 320-383); SECTION V SECTION v; TRADITIONS RELATING TO Tll? PROGRESS, REVOLU·; TIONS, AND SUPPRESSION OF TlI-E BRITISH SUI'ERSTITJON,; - - - p - - 'p Page 411-500; APPENDIX, CONSISTI ... Read more

Product Description
Title: The Mythology and Rites of the British Druids, Ascertained by National Documents; and Compared With the General Traditions and Customs of Heathenism, as Illustrated by the Most Eminent Antiquaries of Our Age. With an Appendix, Containing Ancient Poems and Extracts, With Some Remarks on Ancient British Coins...General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1809Original Publisher: Printed for J. BoothDescription: Imperfect copy: frontis., t.p., and dedication pages crumbled along binding edge; extensive mildew stains; Fold PL. (as described by Library of Congress card 32-2737) wanting.Subjects: Druids and DruidismMythology, CelticCeltic literatureBards and bardismNumismatics, CelticDruids and druidismBody, Mind ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1809.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection (with an active table of contents) of books on myths, legends , and heroes from around the world:

Bulfinch's Mythology
Custom and Myth
Legends of the Gods
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria
American Hero-Myths ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not searchable easily
While the promo says that this comes with an "active table of contents," the table of contents only gets you to the separate volumes.There is no active table of contents within the individual volumes. Thus, it is very hard to find a particular myth, or to return to one.This makes the volume unwieldy and hard to use. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: S. Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington in 1880 in 471 pages; Subjects: Folklore; Mythology, Welsh; Mythology, Celtic; Legends; Folk-lore; Wales; Goblins; Mythology; Fiction / Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology; Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic; Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / General; Body, Mind & Spirit / Spirituality / Celtic; Social Science / Folklore & Mythology; ... Read more

Product Description
These myths draw you into the world of the Celts, and their history and traditions that have resonated through the ages to the present day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Armchair Reading
An excellent way to become familiar with Celtic stories but a more avid Celtophile will not find their thirst quenched! ... Read more

Product Description
This book examines the status and uses of ethnicity in political debate during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the era that immediately preceded the onset of modern racialist and nationalist thinking. Ranging widely across the political cultures of England, Scotland, Ireland and revolutionary America, it also considers European influences and comparisons as well as engaging historically with current debates over nationalism and identity. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Ancient Gaulish and British Deities, Ancient Gaulish and British Goddesses, Ancient Gaulish and British Gods, Dutch Legendary Creatures, Cernunnos, Wild Hunt, Belenus, Epona, Esus, Buckriders, Rosmerta, Andraste, Belisama, Taranis, Belatu-Cadros, Abandinus, Abnoba, Nemausus, Alaisiagae, Sirona, Tarvos Trigaranus, Tamesis, Borvo, Coventina, Artio, Abellio, Aveta, Fagus, Erecura, Alisanos, Verbeia, Grannus, Matres and Matrones, Alaunus, Agrona, Andarta, Icaunis, Maponos, Vosegus, Rudianos, Anextiomarus, Segomo, Arnemetia, Nodens, Ambisagrus, Adsullata, Nantosuelta, Smertrios, Bricta, Luxovius, Arvernus, Nemetona, Robor, Arduinna, Ancamna, Dea Matrona, Loucetios, Clota, Damona, Camulus, Aufaniae, Cocidius, Ialonus Contrebis, Ogmios, Lugus, Dusios, Folklore of the Low Countries, Sinterklaas, Frankish Mythology, Mogons, Continental Germanic Mythology, Geniscus, Lady of Stavoren, Brigantia, Sulis, Cicolluis, Witte Wieven, Senuna, Toutatis, Litavis, Intarabus, Icovellauna, Frisian Church, Moritasgus, Gobannus, Veteris, Sucellus, Latis, Visucius, Sequana, Vellaunus, Viridios, Catubodua, Kabouter, Acionna, Ritona, Damara, Gnome King Kyrië, Cissonius, Celtic Wheel, Saeftinghe Legend, Suleviae, Veraudunus, Satiada, Moss People, Ancasta, Xulsigiae, Mullo, Iouga, Naria, Vernostonos, Olloudius, Inciona, Ocelus, Antenociticus, Matunos, Annea Clivana, Tridamos, Glanis, Ucuetis, Bergusia, Abgatiacus, Ianuaria, Iovantucarus, Cunomaglus, Ricagambeda, Vindonnus, Gallia, Atepomarus, Lero, Latobius, Baco, Telo, Buxenus, Bormana, Gebrinius, Moccus, Rudiobus, Virotutis, Arausio, Souconna, Divona, Onuava, Vasio. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 415. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt:In the Gaulish language , the word Dusios referred to a deity (deus ) among the continental Celts who was identified with the god Pan of ancient Greek ... ... Read more

Product Description
Contents:

I. Beowulf
II. The Dream of Maxen Wledig
III. The Story of Constantine and Elene
IV. The Compassion of Constantine
V. Havelok the Dane
VI. Howard the Halt
VII. Roland, the Hero of Early France
VIII. The Countess Cathleen
IX. Cuchulain, the Champion of Ireland
X. The Tale of Gamelyn
XI. William of Cloudeslee
XII. Black Colin of Loch Awe
XIII. The Marriage of Sir Gawayne
XIV. King Horn
XV. Robin Hood
XVI. Hereward the Wake
... Read more

Product Description
Five Books on folklore from throughout the United Kingdom:ContentsEnglish Fairy TalesCeltic Fairy TalesBeside the Fire, Irish FolkloreCuchulain More English Fairy Tales ... Read more