Maybe this should be in the Bookworm's section, but it's not really a review or reccommendation. Still, feel free to move if it's decided that it's inthe wrong place.

I was thinking about Celtic and Arthurian tales, and how little I know about them. In fact, I know more about Greek and Roman myths and legends from school than I know about the myths and legends of my own country. So I was wondering, can anyone help to increase my knowledge? Any tales about Taleisin and the like, anything at all whether it be from reccommended books or an internet source would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

How about The Mabinogion?

which version?

I don't mind what version - I'm just trying to find out more at the moment.
Maybe there's a particular one you could reccommend?

Theres some Arthurian stuff

here
that might be of interest.


dav

Thanks Davkin, but I'm looking more at the stories than an analytical account. Still, some of the document's links could be useful.

Hi Amilyi,

I am new to the Celtic Legends also and I have just started reading 'Legends of the Celts' by Frank Delaney. There is an introduction behind the culture of the Celts then he chooses a few stories from Irish and Welsh mythology and gives an outline of the legend at the beginning of each section. There is not enough for people already knowledgable on the subject but I think it is a great intro. It has really whet my appetite.

Hope this is useful to you,

Snowstar *

Thanks Snowstar! I also found a possible other title if you're interested:
Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race (Collector's Library of Myth & Legend)

It's strange - you can find a wealth of books out there analysing the Arthurian and Celtic tales, but not the myths and legends themselves!

Try 'The Mabinogi, and other medieval Welsh tales' by Patrick K Ford. It's newer than the Lady Charlotte Guest translation and he tends to stick closer to the original (as far as thats possible) I got mine from over at Amazon for quiet cheap.

I'd post the link but I havn't got the first clue how to do it yet

well i have the penguin book on the mabinogion - i havent finished it all yet but personally i think its a good book not sure which version it is though.also i have celtic myths and legends by peter Berrisford ellis but i havent read it yet.
I did a search on amazon for celtic myths and then just worked through them to find something i fancied at a decent price - i think that is the best thing to do- Good luck

Try looking at the Internet Sacred Texts Archive (boy I should get commission) this link is to the Celtic stuff but click on England and you'll get the Authurian stuff

Kev

One of my most useful reference books on myth n legend Arthur rather than possible historical Arthur is " The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends " by Ronan Coghlan. ( Element Books 1993 is the version I have ) Loads of stories, place names, character names, cross references from all the different Arthur story sources as well as loads of gorgeous illustrations. Look round for a 2nd hand copy or in the library, I wouldn't be without mine

For nice easy reading of Celtic Myths and legends try "Celtic Myths and Legends" by Peter Berensford Ellis.

No fancy frills, with a very good introduction that alone is well worth the purchase price and then everything from the serious Irish Stuff to Cornish old wives tales.

An excellent intro. to celtic mythology.

For me one of the best versions of the Arthurian saga is Bernard Cornwall's "Warlord Chronicles". Yep, I know that it is fiction but it is based on the famous myths and is a simply superb read.

It will also teach the casual reader more about the pagan path than most of the new-age books and websites will

It is a trilogy consisting of 1) The Winter King, 2) Enemy of God & 3) Excalibur - a must, must read in my view.

Another good place to learn about Arthur and his tales is www.celticwolf.co.uk a great website set up by a chap who follows "Arthurain Paganism".

Sionnach
/|\

There's a Celtic/Arthurian myth from down here at the end of cornwall which only the really old people seem to remember.. it goes

Enemies of king arthur came to port at "porthsennen" and murded and killed villagers, arthurs men saw ships heading towards the cove, and soon arthur was racing back to porthsennen.. Arthurs enemies feld back to there ships and while trying to escape a witch from the cliff tops saw what had happend, the witch inchants a bucket of water then throws it against "pedn men du= the black head land" and then the wind direction begins to change and arthurs enemies are blown back on to the shore where they are then slaugtherd by king arthur and his men.

hope thats some help to you.

Alza