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!
Norse and Celtic History
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!
Re: Norse and Celtic History
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
Last edited by Duke Malcolm; 11-27-2005 at 21:29.
It was not theirs to reason why,
It was not theirs to make reply,
It was theirs but to do or die.
-The Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred, Lord Tennyson
"Wherever this stone shall lie, the King of the Scots shall rule"
-Prophecy of the Stone of Destiny
"For God, For King and country, For loved ones home and Empire, For the sacred cause of justice, and The freedom of the world, They buried him among the kings because he, Had done good toward God and toward his house."
-Inscription on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
Re: Norse and Celtic History
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.
"The only thing I've gotten out of this thread is that Navaros is claiming that Satan gave Man meat. Awesome." Gorebag
Re: Norse and Celtic History
- 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 (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 (original from 1906)
Status Emeritus
Re: Norse and Celtic History
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.
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.
Re: Norse and Celtic History
"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.
Re: Norse and Celtic History
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.
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