Gods Heroes & Kings:The Battle for Mythic Britain

[suerowanphillips]

I'm new to this list, so hello!
Right now I'm reading Gods, Heroes, & Kings: The Battle for Mythic Britain. It's authored by Christopher Fee and David Leeming, and is published by Oxford University Press.

So far, the quality is quite high, and the book is both scholarly and readable. The authors compare and contrast the pantheons, key mythological tales, hero/ines, and creation and apocalypse stories generated by the successive waves of invaders to Britain. The primary comparisons are between British, Scottish and Irish mythic sources and Norse and Germanic sources. For example, they draw connections between Cuchulainn's battle frenzy and the Berserkrs, and Bran's and Mimir's severed, preserved heads dispensing wisdom to those who possess them.

I'm not all the way through it yet, but for those who relish thoughtful comparative mythology, it's a treat.

--Sue Phillips
Portland, Oregon, US

[Blackbird]

Sounds interesting What is the agenda behind the book? Are they looking to prove a sameness, or happy to accept these things as unique but similar?

[suerowanphillips]

Hello, Blackbird.

As far as I can tell, the authors are attempting to illustrate how one set of beliefs interacted chronologically and geographically with another as the waves of invasions spread across Britain during the dark ages. I haven't yet finished the book, so I can't tell whether they're going to try to tie it all up neatly with a bow. At this point I don't suspect them of the need to do so, and that's good.

By the way, I hear you're a harper. I'm working with Ann Heymann's coupled hands technique on the wire strung harp. I'd love to chat with you about your craft in the Bardic Chair forum.

--Sue Phillips