Celtic Myth and Legend

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Celtic Myth and Legend

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Charles Squire offers a compact guide to Celtic mythology, tracing ancient Pagan roots in Britain and Ireland. Blending Gaelic and British legends, the book introduces gods, giants, and heroes like Finn and Arthur, aiming to refresh English poetry by reconnecting readers with their native mythic heritage.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Celtic Myth and Legend*, Charles Squire presents a unified narrative of the ancient Celts, arguing that British mythology stems from profound Pagan traditions rather than being merely a derivative of Teutonic or Greek stories. Squire posits that Celtic myth is vital to national identity, offering a grace and familiarity that contrasts with the heaviness of Norse tales and the exoticism of Greek legends. He asserts that the Celtic gods are the natural inhabitants of the British landscape, rooted in the local oak and heath rather than foreign vines and olives. The book details the pantheons of the Gaels and Britons, tracing their evolution from divine personages to mortal heroes. Squire explores the Fenian cycle, centering on Finn mac Cumhail and his nephew Diarmait. He recounts the tragic love story between Diarmait and Grainne, which leads to their flight from Finn's wrath. This narrative highlights the decline of the gods and the eventual conquest of the divine by mortals. Similarly, Squire examines the British gods, including the adventures of Branwen and the Wooing of Branwen, illustrating the cosmic struggles between light and darkness. A central thesis of the work is that legendary figures like King Arthur and his knights are not merely historical or fictional champions but divine beings belonging to the same mythic company as the old gods. Squire argues that the Arthurian cycle represents the "Coming of Arthur," where these figures transition from godhood to kingship. The text concludes by examining the survival of these pagan beliefs into modern times, where they persist as fairies and folklore. Squire views this continuity as a handbook for the "Celtic Renaissance," an endeavor to revitalize English literature by reconnecting it with its ancient, native poetic founts.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/charles-squire_celtic-myth-and-legend.epub

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Categories

• Folklore
• Mythology