|
BRITISH MYTHOLOGY
THE BRITISH ISLES have a long tradition of
tales of gods, heroes and marvels, hinting at a mythology once
as relevant to the races which settled the islands as the
Greek and Roman gods were to the classical world.
England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are replete with ancient legends,
myths so old their origins are lost in the mists of time.
Legends of warrior kings, noble outlaws, and stirring deeds.
In its pure sense British mythology originates with the
ancient British, a pre-Celtic people who were once spread
across most of Britain. The mythology comes down to us
through the Welsh, and most of it was written down around the
tenth century, when it had acquired overlays of other
traditions such as Christianity.
Great
Britain's vast body of national mythology and
local legend is one of the world's richest veins of written
and verbally-transmitted literature and has served for
centuries as a primary source of artistic inspiration and
general enjoyment around the world.
|
|
 |
ENGLAND:
Successive waves of pre-Norman invaders and settlers,
from the Romans onwards, via Saxons, Jutes, Angles,
Norse to the Norman Conquest have all influenced the
myth and legend of England.
|
|
|
IRELAND:
The small island of Ireland is split into two countries;
Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland is part of Great
Britain and is located in the north, to the south is the
Irish Free State of Ireland. The isle was invaded by the
Celts, Vikings, Normans and Tudor (Protestants).
|
|
|
SCOTLAND:
From earliest times the influences of England, Ireland,
Scandinavia and continental Europe have been as
important, particularly in aspects of Scotland's
creative and cultural development.
|
|
|
WALES: Welsh
tradition reaches back into prehistoric times, it is
said the first inhabitants lived there 29,000 years ago.
In the first centuries A.D., Celtic-speaking clans of
shepherds, farmers, and forest dwellers defended their
homes against Roman invaders, who penetrated the
northern border of the country. |
A thing
of beauty is a joy for
ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
John Keats, A Thing of Beauty
|
