Celtic Myth and LegendThe legends of ancient Britain retain a profound allure for readers around the world, assuring a warm reception for this introduction to the colorful pageant of Celtic myth. Its wondrous tales range from the oft-told deeds of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table to the less-familiar adventures of the mighty Finn and his Fenians, Ulster's Champions of the Red Branch, and other figures from the Gaelic pantheon. Tracing the exploits of kings and saints back to their earliest origins, the author reveals the pagan roots beneath the medieval Christianity and follows the stories' transformations into the fairy tales of the Victorian age. Minimal use of scholarly notes and a highly accessible style make this reader-friendly volume an ideal steppingstone in the path toward the magic cauldron of Celtic myth. |
Contents
THE INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE OF CELTIC MYTHOLOGY | ix |
THE SOURCES OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE CELTIC MYTHOLOG | 5 |
WHO WERE THE ANCIENT BRITONS ? | 14 |
THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT BRITONS AND DRUIDISM | 27 |
THE GODS OF THE GAELS | 43 |
THE GODS ARRIVE | 61 |
THE RISE OF THE SUNGODl | 74 |
THE GAELIC ARGONAUTS | 85 |
THE GODS OF THE BRITONS | 247 |
THE ADVENTURES OF THE GODS OF HADES | 274 |
THE WOOING OF BRANWEN AND THE BEHEADING OF BRÂN | 285 |
THE WAR OF ENCHANTMENTS | 294 |
THE VICTORIES OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS | 301 |
THE MYTHOLOGICAL COMING OF ARTHUR | 308 |
THE TREASURES OF BRITAIN | 332 |
THE GODS AS KING ARTHURS KNIGHTS | 350 |
THE WAR WITH THE GIANTS | 103 |
THE CONQUEST OF THE GODS BY MORTALS | 115 |
THE GODS IN EXILE | 128 |
THE IRISH ILIAD | 149 |
SOME GAELIC LOVESTORIES | 180 |
FINN AND THE FENIANS | 197 |
THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE GODS | 223 |
THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE GODS | 367 |
SURVIVALS OF THE CELTIC PAGANISM INTO MODERN TIMES | 395 |
APPENDIX | 415 |
INDEX | 421 |
443 | |
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Common terms and phrases
ancient Angus Annwn Arianrod Arthur Arthurian Legend Aryan asked Balor bard battle Bodb Book Brân Branwen Bress Britain British Britons Caer called castle cauldron Celtic mythology Celtique Celts chap chariot Cian Conchobar Cuchulainn Dagda Danu dark daughter death deities Diancecht Diarmait divine Dôn druids Dyfed Emain Macha Eochaid Erin Etain fairy father Fenians Fergus fight Finn Fir Bolgs Fomors Gaelic Gaels goddess Danu gods Goibniu Gwydion Gwyn Hades heroes Hibbert Lectures hounds Ibid illustrations Ireland Irish island killed King Kulhwch land Leinster Lêr Lleu Lludd Llyr Lugh Mabinogi Mabinogion magic Manannán Manawyddan Medb Mider Morte Darthur myth mythical night Nuada Nudd Olwen Ossian pagan Partholon poem Pronounced Pryderi Pwyll race Red Branch replied Rhiannon romance Saint sent sidh sons of Tuirenn spear story sun-god Taliesin tells told tradition translation tribes Tuatha Dé Danann Ulster Wales warriors Welsh wife