Cover art of 2006 Penguin Books edition – the edition I own

(10) JAMES MACKILLOP –

MYTHS & LEGENDS OF THE CELTS (2006)

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For mine is the grail quest –

round table & siege perilous

fisher king & waste land

bleeding lance & dolorous stroke

adventurous bed & questing beast

I find all Celtic mythology fascinating.

The Celtic mythology that survived most in literary form (mostly as recorded by Christian monks) was in Brittany or coastal France, in Britain and above all in Ireland with its various mythological cycles. The Tuatha de Danann or the gods of Ireland. The Ulster Cycle and its great hero Cu Chulainn. The Fenian Cycle as well as its great hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill (sometimes awesomely translated as Finn McCool) and his Fianna warrior band. And the Cycle of Kings of historical legend.

“Myths and Legends of the Celts is a fascinating and wide-ranging introduction to the mythology of the peoples who inhabited the northwestern fringes of Europe—from Britain and the Isle of Man to Gaul and Brittany.”

This book is essentially divided into three parts. The first part looks at the broader themes of Celtic mythology in general reflected in the chapter names – with chapters for the Celtic deities, the remnants of Celtic religion, sacred kingship (in Ireland), the female figures of Celtic mythology (goddesses, warrior queens and saints), calendar feasts, and otherworlds.

The second part looks at the Irish mythological cycles – the Ulster Cycle, the Fenian Cycle, and the Cycle of Kings.

The third part looks at Welsh and oral myths.

“And it explores in detail the rich variety of Celtic myths: from early legends of King Arthur to the stories of the Welsh Mabinogi, and from tales of heroes including Cúchulainn, Fionn mac Cumhaill, and the warrior queen Medb, to tales of shadowy otherworlds—the homes of spirits and fairies.”

RATING:

A-TIER (TOP TIER)