Legends and Romances of Brittany

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Legends and Romances of Brittany

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Lewis Spence presents a vivid collection of Breton folk-tales, Arthurian lays, saints' lives, and supernatural lore. This comprehensive volume brings the myths, customs, and atmospheric legends of Brittany to life for English-speaking readers.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Legends and Romances of Brittany*, Lewis Spence offers a comprehensive exploration of the region's rich history and enduring folklore, weaving together ancient roots with supernatural tales. The work begins by establishing Brittany's geographical and cultural context, describing its rugged coastlines, bleak moorlands, and ancient Celtic identity. Spence details the history of the ancient Armoricans, recounting their fierce resistance to Roman encroachment and the pivotal arrival of British refugees fleeing Saxon invasion, which solidified the peninsula's Celtic character. The narrative highlights the linguistic evolution from Old to Modern Breton and the lives of holy figures like Samson, a missionary from Pembrokeshire who converted pagan Brittany to Christianity and established monastic communities near the celebrated menhir of Dol. Spence delves into the supernatural, cataloging sprites, demons, and the 'black art' practiced in the region's forests. He examines the Breton worldview through ballads depicting stark contrasts between Tartarus and Paradise, offering vivid descriptions of medieval ecclesiastical terror and heavenly bliss. A significant portion is dedicated to Arthurian romance and the *lais* of Marie de France, highlighting Brittany's unique role in the Arthurian cycle. The text further explores heroic tales of warriors, the lives of saints who shaped the spiritual landscape, and specific local customs. The book provides an immersive view of the region's architectural grandeur, focusing on Breton châteaux such as La Roche-Jagu, Clisson, and Combourg, which serve as shrines to local history and mystery. Spence describes their massy walls, arrow-slits, and conical towers, noting how they harbor legends of blood, vengeance, and the powers of evil. Through adaptations of tales collected from the peasantry in the late nineteenth century, Spence provides a deep, immersive view of a culture that preserved its ancient spirit despite centuries of external influence. The work serves as both a historical record and a romantic tribute to a land cut off from the highways of humanity, where the discarded genii of ancient faiths sought their last stronghold.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/lewis-spence_legends-and-romances-of-brittany.epub

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data/epubs/url-cd5e814b82c4d737.epub

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Categories

• Folklore
• Mythology