Norse and Celtic History

[peacedude]

Can anyone recommend me some good books on Viking Mythology. Also I am looking for recomendations on Celtic ( Welsh, Irish, Scottish,Pictish) Ancient and Medieval History/Mythology.
Thanks for the help!

[Duke Malcolm]

There is nought on the Picts, but I know that the Celtic Church was one of the first, and there were Christian Celts in the 1st century AD in Scotland and Ireland, I believe...

Thre is a book called Celtic (or at least that was what was in big writing on the cover) which had information on stories, beliefs, and druids and such of the Irish

[English assassin]

Gods and Myths of Northern Europe by HR Ellis Davidson is pretty much the standard work for a general reader I believe.

Cassell Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend by Andy Orchard does what it says on the tin, and he is a friend of a friend, so buy his book.

The Penguin Book of Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings by Kevin Crossley-Holland is a fun retelling, although not 100% true to the texts of the originals.

And that of course brings us to both the elder and younger Eddas which are available in good translations and which can be read for enjoyment by anyone.

You would have to have a pretty specialist interest to need more than these books IMHO.

[Sigurd]

The all time classic: a collection of Snorre Sturlason’s work called Snorre here. I hope you can get an English version.
Online book for new beginners on Norse mythology: The Children of Odin (http://home.no/nordveg/ebok/childrenofodin.htm) (original from 1920)
There is a controversial book out called Jakten på Odin (The Hunt for Odin) by Thor Heyerdahl and Peter Lillieström. Sadly I haven’t found a reference to an English version.
An interesting e-book I just found: The Norse Discovery of America (http://home.no/nordveg/ebok/norsediscovery.htm) (original from 1906)

[Spartakus]

http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/

You can find the aforementioned "Snorre" here, usually titled "Heimskringla" or in English; "Chronicle of the Kings of Norway". It's a typical reign-by-reign chronicle with more than a touch of bloodshed and humour.

There are many other primary sources there as well, not just Norse either.

[Taffy_is_a_Taff]

"Warlords and Holymen" by A.P. Smyth is an excellent history of Scotland to the 11th century.

Actually all the volumes in the new history of Scotland series are worth a look.

Malcolm's comment made me suggest that.

I'll suggest more when I have the time.

[lugh]

Of Gods and Fighting Men - Lady Gregory
That's more or less the definitive Irish early mythology/cosmology. It deals with the settling of Ireland by the various immigrants.

Check out sacred-texts.com I think they have a copy on pdf. Also they've a large index of Celtic, Norse and other original texts.

[Ludens]

VeroImperatoreDiRoma posted this in the EH:


If you are new to Celtic history look no further than Peter Beresford Ellis,it`s light easy reading whilst factual.Try

The Celtic Empire-the first millenium of celtic history
this is a good starting point as it gives proven evidence of the celts in general and though it doesn`t focus on Britain in particlar,brings you close to the culture of the Celts and once read will help you understand why they dissapeared from most of Europe.

Celt and Saxon-the struggle for britain AD 410 -937
In contrast here`s one to get you dreaming of courageous Celts fighting against all odds to victory against the Angles,Saxons and Jutes etc.
Very bias towards the Celts but highlights the "dark ages" for particular treatment wiping clear the annoying notion that when the Romans left Britain the island was a barbaric wasteland.

Dictionary Of Irish Mythology-
Another fine read,it`s not just a listing of old tales and names that mean nothing.

All by Peter Beresford Ellis,more authors to come.

[Monarch]

Not to bump but I have found that www.pantheon.org is an excellent site for mythology of many cultures, worth a look.

[Watchman]

De Re Militari (http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/articles.htm) at least used to have a number of interesting articles on Viking Age military history, including Ireland. However, their database is currently a little disorganized.

[Taffy_is_a_Taff]

Be wary of Peter Beresford Ellis's historical work.

You'll see what I mean if you read any.