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Wirt Sikes's 1881 tome defines and records Welsh fairy legends as they existed -- still vital, alive, not just a mordant mythology but living folklore in that year. Like many texts of the time, it treats the subject mechanically, detailing fairy legends with such care and precision as to leach away a measuyre of the magic. But all the same, there's plenty of magic here: this is the myth that modern fasntasy grows from; and the truth is that it's not to be found elsewhere still alive.(Jacketless library hardcover.) ... Read more

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1809. This work discusses 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 the age. With an appendix containing ancient poems and extracts with some remarks on ancient British coins. ... Read more

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Authoritative
An extremely authoritative and accurate presentation of the subject. Very well researched. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I loved this book!
I first read this book when I was in college. I was browsing the library shelves for Medieval English literature when I came across some Arthurian texts. I had always loved King Arthur tales and Ashe's books piqued myinterest even further. Then, by accident I came upon The Mythology of theBritish Isles--it is such a wonderful book! Full of myths and their basisesin history, lots of color pictures and drawings, and plenty of easy toread, easy to follow references.

This book will appeal to both amateursand academics looking for more information on British Mythology. It goesbeyond Arthur, delving into lesser known tales (Like that of Vortigern, OldKing Cole, Prince Powyll of Powis and Rhiannon, etc.) and it gives richhistoric details to fill in the gaps. Very reader friendly. A must have forthose interested in these myths. For those familiar with Ashe's otherworks, this is true to form. A keeper! ... Read more

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This volume reminds the reader of the mysterious and romantic lands inhabited by the gods and heroes - the ancient gods of the ancient peoples. The rise and fall of the mythical, legendary and poetic traditions of the earliest inhabitants of the British Isles are fully explored and explained. ... Read more

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This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Contents: Gods and Spirits; British Sea-gods, Mermaids and Seal-folk; Giants and Ogres of England and Scotland; British Goblins, Demons, Spirits of Vegetation; Bird Myth; Supernatural Animals and Monsters; Standing Stones; Problematical Figures. ... Read more

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The British Isles have a long tradition of tales of gods, heroes and marvels. Like a coat of many colours, the bright fragments hint at a mythology once as relevant to the races which settled the islands as classical mythology was to the Greeks and Romans. Richard Barber has drawn together the stories presented here from a wide range of medieval sources, from the dawn of Christianity to the twelfth century. They come cloaked in seeming history, but they bring with them intimations of folk migrations and shadows of an unrecoverable pagan past.There are few echoes of the Norse gods which peopled the Anglo-Saxon past; only Beowulf survives in its entirety to show a spare, realistic world in which the warrior ethos is the driving force. By contrast, Celtic myth has left more traces, in Cuchulainn, and in Taliesin and Merlin, the latter two crossing the boundaries of the real and the unreal hero, for Taliesin was very probably a sixth-century poet and Merlin, magician and shape-shifter extraordinary, a contemporary king.Saints too punctuate the story of Britain: George, now disowned by the Vatican, Helena who brought a bit of the True Cross to Britain, and Joseph of Arimathea, whose staff, struck into the ground at Glastonbury, grew into the Glastonbury thorn. Glastonbury is the focus of the Arthurian legends, but the Arthurian stories appearing here are those of the Arthur known in Britain rather than the versions from the French romances.The later tales mix real events and fabulous heroes, recording the fortunes of Harold (who in this version was not killed at Hastings), 1ereward and Godiva, as well as the adventures of Havelock, Sir Bevis of Hampton and Guy of Warwick, slayers of dragons and giants. These figures and many others were part of a familiar national mythology for the Elizabethans; Shakespeare drew on them for Lear, Macbeth and Hamlet, and created the famous versions that are known today; here the original stories are presented again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Handy yet padded
Other authors fill big thick books full of Celtic mythology, but this seems to be a bit beyond John and Caitlin Matthews. While "British and Irish Mythology: An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend" is handy for quick reference, it's far too scanty in its details and padded with irrelevent mythologic -- and historic -- items. Seriously, Lady Godiva?

It's set up in the format of an encyclopedia, with alphabetically arranged entries starting from Abaris and ending with Yvain (see Owain). Each entry is clearly marked with what kind of person, place, civilization or item it is, and what kind of story it stems from -- Arthurian, Irish, Scottish, Norse, Welsh, saints, Greek, genetic Celtic, and other items that pop up throughout legendary history.

Unfortunately, it's both too long and too short. Somehow John and Caitlin Matthews never go very deep into any one mythic figure -- the great King Arthur, about whom entire books are written, gets only a few paragraphs. Most gods, heroes and other figures get a short paragraph or two, and sometimes even less. It would be nice to see some details, correlations, and historical background.

At the same time, it's padded with loads of irrelevant information. A large portion of the book is made up of Norse and Grecian myth, which even the Matthewses can't give a good excuse for -- they only provide a rambling explanation about how the public's attention is probably about to shift back to Norse and Scandinavian mythology rather than Celtic. All well and good -- though it hasn't happened yet -- but it doesn't explain their presence in a book of British mythology.

And many other entries are sorely lacking. Most saints included are there less for their mythic appeal than for an excuse to snipe at Christianity's presence in Ireland and Britain, or at the "cults of popularity," such as Thomas of Canterbury. And some figures listed in here -- such as Sir Francis Drake -- stretch the very definition of "legend."

Perhaps even worse than the padding is the omissions -- the Matthewses go through the usual rounds of Irish, Scottish and generic Celtic myths, but blithely ignore some of the more obscure Celtic mythologies and legends. For example, where are the Manx, Welsh, Breton or Cornish legends? They're referenced in passing, but apparently not deserving of further research.

"British and Irish Mythology: An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend" is handy for a quick reference as to what the Grail Question was, but pretty useless for anything deeper, and riddled with information nobody asked for.

A Gift from the Gods
This is the most comphrensive guide I have seen of British and Celtic mytholog. It's organized like a dictonary, from Arthur to Ymir. Any myth guru will get a kick out of it! ... Read more

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The book has no 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 the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of 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. Title: The Mythology and Rites of the British Druids, Ascertained by National Documents; and Compared With the General Traditions and Customs of Heathenism, as by the Most Eminent Antiquaries of Our Age. With an Appendix, Containing Ancient Poems and Extracts, With Some Remarks on Ancient British Coins ; Original Publisher: London : Printed for J. Booth; Publication date: 1809; Subjects: Druids and Druidism; Mythology, Celtic; Celtic literature; Bards and bardism; Numismatics, Celtic; Druids and druidism; Body, Mind ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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19th century British classical subject or mythological paintings have traditionally been viewed as little more than decorative canvases. In this work, the author claims these paintings are something more - an integral part of a broad-based value system that reinforced patriarchal dominance by inculcating misogynistic and gynophobic attitudes among the broad public. Kestner examines the work of many major artists - Leighton, Burne-Jones, Poynter, Moore, Waterhouse, and Alma-Tadema, as well as that of lesser known figures. He contends that these painters deployed classical legends to reinforce a legal, medical, educational, religious, and marital fabric that supported all the prerogatives of patriarchal power. Early in the book, Kestner uses the evidence of archaeology, sociology, politics, medicine, and law to reveal the function of myth in classical-subject art. Particularly powerful, he finds, are ideas that define men as heroic figures and females as helpless victims - often of despair or madness - concepts that permeated the codes of 19th century society. ... Read more

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