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Witches, Druids and King Arthur
Illustrations Introduction Acknowledgements 1 How Myths are Made 2 Arthur and the Academics 3 Alternative Histories 4 The New Old Paganism 5 Paganism in the Missing Countries 6 A Modest Look at Ritual Nudity 7 The Inklings and the Gods 8 The New Druidry 9 Living with Witchcraft Notes Index
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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1057 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Hutton
50 books519 followersRonald Hutton (born 1953) is an English historian who specializes in the study of Early Modern Britain, British folklore, pre-Christian religion and contemporary Paganism. A professor of history at the University of Bristol, Hutton has published fourteen books and has appeared on British television and radio.
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July 28, 2011Witches,Druids and King Arthur
Ronald Hutton,St Martin's Press
2003
Ronald Hutton is a scholar who cuts through all the crap and gets straight to the truth. He doesn't mess around and he does not have time for biases. Most noted for his study of modern witchcraft in book "Triumph of the Moon" Ronald Hutton has drafted a book that is really a compilation of different essays on different subjects that are pertinent facets of modern paganism. This book is easily read and scholarly at the same time which serves to make it a very enjoyable read as well as informative.
The first essay talks about myths and how they are created. Often times a groups oral history maybe composed of myths. Myths are often legends composed around a certain event or monument. As the author shows myths are outright inventions meant to bolster ethnic pride and carry forth an idea much like propaganda would. The author gives several examples of national myths that clearly have no basis in fact. This could cover everything from battles and historical event all the way to monuments. Many monuments are not as old as reported and the stories surrounding them are equally untrue.
The next area of the author's study is King Arthur. King Arthur is rather a tough figure to pin down. There are several candidates as to who could be the real Arthur. no one knows for sure. Glastonbury Tor is an area often associated with King Arthur. supposedly it is the place where he and Queen Guenivere are buried. Further mythology connects it to Joseph Aramathea. Excavations show, however, that the earliest the building there could have been built was the 10th century ad and most likely they were built by Anglo Saxons. A bit too late for King Arthur.
Ronald Hutton through his research has come to the conclusion that Modern Paganism is not an extension of old paganism. He argues that once Europe adopted Christianity they stopped practicing their pagan religions. Modern Wicca tends to be duotheistic meaning that there are two deities, God and Goddess. Old pagan religions were pantheistic meaning they had a multitude of gods. Monotheism is a belief in one god. The Paganism of the late antiquity period before the onset of Christianity had a tendency to lean towards monotheism and that there was one main creator god and the rest of the deities were spirits under his command. Duo theistic ideas were present as well. There was a main idea that underneath the main creator god there was a female consort who had the responsibility of bestowing life and fertility to the life below on earth. At times this female deity would be called Natura, Venus or even Hekate.
There are other division to be noted with regards too modern paganism and the pagan religions of old. One such division was the use of magic. There is a difference between religion and magic. In religion the followers would worship the given deity and make request. In magic the magician could compel the spiritual entity to perfrom a certain task on their behalf. The Egyptians believed that one could use Heka or spiritual power to coerce a deity. in modern wicca on can perform magic by using their own energy and by asking the deity to lend them power.
It is to be acknowledged that many ideas of magic and religion flowed to Europe from the Middle East via Rome and Greece. Many of these ideas originated in Babylon, Egypt and Phoenicia/Canaan/Israel. The idea of a male God dying at winter and being resurrected is one such motif. Another motif that is found in ritual magic and Wicca, that came to Europe from the Middle East is casting the circle and calling the 4 elements. This played a big part in Greek and Middle Eastern ritual.Modern paganism inherited it from them.
Harran was a place in the Middle East located near what is considered northern Iraq and southern Turkey that was a surviving bastion of Paganism that survived as such until the 11th century ad. It survived and thrived under Islamic rule. Some say that pagan wisemen were transferred there after the Greco-Roman world became christian. it is know that the Muslim mystics known for the art of making amulets and talismans learned what they knew from the mystics of Harran.This would later come to Europe via the Muslims when they conquered Spain.
Two important things are salient with Harranian mysticism. Not only did they cast circle and call quarters but they also subscribed to Hermeticism and neo platonism.
The idea behind Hermeticism is that magic was performed to help one unite with the creator. neo Platonism taught that there was one God but that his many emanations allowed for the creation of different deity like beings. each being had control over a different astral body or planet. Inclusive of the sun and the moon . there seven total. each planet exerted some influence on different earthly matters. Associated with these planet were different stones, colors and herbs.
Mystics believed that planetery powers could be channeled into objects or amulets. neo Platomic ideas along with circle casting would make inroads into Medieval European high magic and Christianity. It often created much controversy.
The last four chapters cover ritual nudity in Wicca, Pagan ideas on two Christian fantasy writers and the rise of Modern druidry. Pagan thought and motif has always beenm a potent undercurrent in Europe. Norse mythology combined with Christian ideology influence a group of creative writers called the inklings. Two such writer from that group were CS. Lewis and Jrr. Tolkien. Their mythology is discussed at length. Ritual Nudity is practiced in some Wiccan groups to enforce equality and increase power. The author examine how ritual nudity was used in ancient times and in modern times and examines some reasons why it would be employed in modern Wicca.
Modern Druidry is not really related to ancient druidry but rather it is a recreation. The first groups to call themselves Druids were actually fraternal groups that offered support and friendship. late on they would develop in religious groups who's rituals borrowed heavily from Masonic organization and structure. This book get a 5 out of 5 rating.
Ronald Hutton,St Martin's Press
2003
Ronald Hutton is a scholar who cuts through all the crap and gets straight to the truth. He doesn't mess around and he does not have time for biases. Most noted for his study of modern witchcraft in book "Triumph of the Moon" Ronald Hutton has drafted a book that is really a compilation of different essays on different subjects that are pertinent facets of modern paganism. This book is easily read and scholarly at the same time which serves to make it a very enjoyable read as well as informative.
The first essay talks about myths and how they are created. Often times a groups oral history maybe composed of myths. Myths are often legends composed around a certain event or monument. As the author shows myths are outright inventions meant to bolster ethnic pride and carry forth an idea much like propaganda would. The author gives several examples of national myths that clearly have no basis in fact. This could cover everything from battles and historical event all the way to monuments. Many monuments are not as old as reported and the stories surrounding them are equally untrue.
The next area of the author's study is King Arthur. King Arthur is rather a tough figure to pin down. There are several candidates as to who could be the real Arthur. no one knows for sure. Glastonbury Tor is an area often associated with King Arthur. supposedly it is the place where he and Queen Guenivere are buried. Further mythology connects it to Joseph Aramathea. Excavations show, however, that the earliest the building there could have been built was the 10th century ad and most likely they were built by Anglo Saxons. A bit too late for King Arthur.
Ronald Hutton through his research has come to the conclusion that Modern Paganism is not an extension of old paganism. He argues that once Europe adopted Christianity they stopped practicing their pagan religions. Modern Wicca tends to be duotheistic meaning that there are two deities, God and Goddess. Old pagan religions were pantheistic meaning they had a multitude of gods. Monotheism is a belief in one god. The Paganism of the late antiquity period before the onset of Christianity had a tendency to lean towards monotheism and that there was one main creator god and the rest of the deities were spirits under his command. Duo theistic ideas were present as well. There was a main idea that underneath the main creator god there was a female consort who had the responsibility of bestowing life and fertility to the life below on earth. At times this female deity would be called Natura, Venus or even Hekate.
There are other division to be noted with regards too modern paganism and the pagan religions of old. One such division was the use of magic. There is a difference between religion and magic. In religion the followers would worship the given deity and make request. In magic the magician could compel the spiritual entity to perfrom a certain task on their behalf. The Egyptians believed that one could use Heka or spiritual power to coerce a deity. in modern wicca on can perform magic by using their own energy and by asking the deity to lend them power.
It is to be acknowledged that many ideas of magic and religion flowed to Europe from the Middle East via Rome and Greece. Many of these ideas originated in Babylon, Egypt and Phoenicia/Canaan/Israel. The idea of a male God dying at winter and being resurrected is one such motif. Another motif that is found in ritual magic and Wicca, that came to Europe from the Middle East is casting the circle and calling the 4 elements. This played a big part in Greek and Middle Eastern ritual.Modern paganism inherited it from them.
Harran was a place in the Middle East located near what is considered northern Iraq and southern Turkey that was a surviving bastion of Paganism that survived as such until the 11th century ad. It survived and thrived under Islamic rule. Some say that pagan wisemen were transferred there after the Greco-Roman world became christian. it is know that the Muslim mystics known for the art of making amulets and talismans learned what they knew from the mystics of Harran.This would later come to Europe via the Muslims when they conquered Spain.
Two important things are salient with Harranian mysticism. Not only did they cast circle and call quarters but they also subscribed to Hermeticism and neo platonism.
The idea behind Hermeticism is that magic was performed to help one unite with the creator. neo Platonism taught that there was one God but that his many emanations allowed for the creation of different deity like beings. each being had control over a different astral body or planet. Inclusive of the sun and the moon . there seven total. each planet exerted some influence on different earthly matters. Associated with these planet were different stones, colors and herbs.
Mystics believed that planetery powers could be channeled into objects or amulets. neo Platomic ideas along with circle casting would make inroads into Medieval European high magic and Christianity. It often created much controversy.
The last four chapters cover ritual nudity in Wicca, Pagan ideas on two Christian fantasy writers and the rise of Modern druidry. Pagan thought and motif has always beenm a potent undercurrent in Europe. Norse mythology combined with Christian ideology influence a group of creative writers called the inklings. Two such writer from that group were CS. Lewis and Jrr. Tolkien. Their mythology is discussed at length. Ritual Nudity is practiced in some Wiccan groups to enforce equality and increase power. The author examine how ritual nudity was used in ancient times and in modern times and examines some reasons why it would be employed in modern Wicca.
Modern Druidry is not really related to ancient druidry but rather it is a recreation. The first groups to call themselves Druids were actually fraternal groups that offered support and friendship. late on they would develop in religious groups who's rituals borrowed heavily from Masonic organization and structure. This book get a 5 out of 5 rating.
August 10, 2011
Interesting observations about the development of myths and how we see things that don't exist yet refuse to see things that do.
The myth of King Arthur is one example. The history of this myth swings from acceptance to denial based on influencing factors at any particular time.
Well worth reading, though I'm making slow progress with all the other books on my shelf.
The myth of King Arthur is one example. The history of this myth swings from acceptance to denial based on influencing factors at any particular time.
Well worth reading, though I'm making slow progress with all the other books on my shelf.
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July 27, 2012Like most of his books, they are filed with well researched data but I find they can get a bit heavy reading and can be boring at times.
August 7, 2017
A collection of essays on various topic -- of various interest, too.
I liked the one on ritual nudity best. He tracks down what can be learned and established three widespread practices: among people taking on the roles of supernatural and liminal beings, and among those being initiated, are the real ones, and a folkloric one is so widespread -- Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas -- that he mentions that witches, people who work evil magic, do so naked, so representing their evil, antisocial nature.
Others debunking some beliefs, and still others discussing elements of ancient religious practice. The one on the Inklings is weak
I liked the one on ritual nudity best. He tracks down what can be learned and established three widespread practices: among people taking on the roles of supernatural and liminal beings, and among those being initiated, are the real ones, and a folkloric one is so widespread -- Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas -- that he mentions that witches, people who work evil magic, do so naked, so representing their evil, antisocial nature.
Others debunking some beliefs, and still others discussing elements of ancient religious practice. The one on the Inklings is weak
August 22, 2017
A very interesting, informative book by a really, really erudite man. Quite possibly the most densely worded and challenging book I've read in years, if not ever.
My husband and I came across Professor Ronald Hutton in various U.K. television documentaries, where he would provide historical context for various subject matters. Then we learned about the BBC series "Professor Hutton's Curiosities," and watched and enjoyed each of the episodes. I was curious to see what books he had written, and got Witches, Druids and King Arthur from my library.
Such. An. Overwhelming. Book.
The level of detail is astounding! It honestly exhausted me to read most of the chapters. I enjoyed the chapter about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien very much, but I think my favorite was the final chapter in which Professor Hutton writes about his experiences researching his book The Triumph of the Moon.
Looking forward to reading more of Professor Hutton's work, but not until after I've given my brain a long, long rest.
My husband and I came across Professor Ronald Hutton in various U.K. television documentaries, where he would provide historical context for various subject matters. Then we learned about the BBC series "Professor Hutton's Curiosities," and watched and enjoyed each of the episodes. I was curious to see what books he had written, and got Witches, Druids and King Arthur from my library.
Such. An. Overwhelming. Book.
The level of detail is astounding! It honestly exhausted me to read most of the chapters. I enjoyed the chapter about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien very much, but I think my favorite was the final chapter in which Professor Hutton writes about his experiences researching his book The Triumph of the Moon.
Looking forward to reading more of Professor Hutton's work, but not until after I've given my brain a long, long rest.
June 30, 2021
There was less on King Arthur than I thought there would be. But for the most part this book was very well done and greatly detailed. My only qualm with the book was in chapter eight. I'm not sure, myself, that a historian should take a rather biased approach to modern druidry. In this instance because he knew two people closely he didn't put on a critical lens. Critical could easily mean positive as well as negative, however, he seemed to only want to give out positive reviews.
Furthermore, it's a pity that he doesn't know what feminism means; a feminist can be sympathetic to men and be supportive of women's rights, they're not mutually exclusive.
Furthermore, it's a pity that he doesn't know what feminism means; a feminist can be sympathetic to men and be supportive of women's rights, they're not mutually exclusive.
May 3, 2022
This collection of Ronald Hutton's papers is very insightful when it comes to witchcraft, it's history, and contemporary views on it.
He elaborates on the transportation and development of stories and myths, Glastonbury or the probability or improbability of ancient magical practices at that place. The chapter I found most fascinating is the last one where Hutton contemplates anthropology and how scholarly study and the studied group of people (witches in his case) influence each other.
The only drawback is that not all papers might be of interest to the reader as the topics are quite wide-spread.
He elaborates on the transportation and development of stories and myths, Glastonbury or the probability or improbability of ancient magical practices at that place. The chapter I found most fascinating is the last one where Hutton contemplates anthropology and how scholarly study and the studied group of people (witches in his case) influence each other.
The only drawback is that not all papers might be of interest to the reader as the topics are quite wide-spread.
September 4, 2022
Very little on King Arthur beyond the futile archaeological attempts to place him in Britain, nor much concerning druidic tradition of the time and how it relates to the Arthurian tradition, and very little mention of Merlin, either. Unfortunately, a very misleading title.
July 5, 2021
It was interesting to learn more about Caitlin and John Matthews. Not much of Arthur or Druids for that matter.
December 24, 2023
This was just fascinating. I have added it to my wish list so that I may have a copy of my own.
4 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3249.68
4 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3249.68
Read
October 2, 2025Interesting to see some of my objections especially to his later work acknowledged in the Introduction to this book.
July 23, 2011
A really interesting set of essays, some of which expand on topics previously researched in his books and some of which appear to introduce new topics e.g. druidism, which he has since published work on. It is worth reading just for the last essay 'Living with Witchcraft', which for anyone who has read Triumph of the Moon is a must read. He talks about the experiences both positive and negative that he encountered when writing the book and it is almost with astonishment that you read about the situations he dealt with. The only negative to this book is that it was poorly proof read and whoever had that job should be shot! Some of it really stood out from the page as obvious errors and it does get annoying when it continues throughout the book. I read the hardback copy so hopefully they fixed it before the paperback release!
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September 7, 2011The first three chapters of this book, focusing on the making of myth and then the examples of King Arthur and Glastonbury, were the most interesting ones for me. In other essays Hutton includes a wealth of detail about topics like the relationship between ancient and modern Paganism and the distinction between religion and magic. Sloppy proofreading did detract from the quality: a list of features of Egyptian ritual magic has two labeled "A seventh," for example. All in all, Hutton provides a fair-minded and well-documented approach to some controversial topics.
July 18, 2013
Truly enjoyed this series of essays about the origins of British folklore - more good stuff from the author of Stations of the Sun and The Rise and Fall of Merry England. A great look at how "common knowledge" events are made, even in the space of a little time, that endure even though the stories have no basis in events that actually happen (things like science denial and so on) - very helpful in understanding the modern world as well as the world of folk history.
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August 16, 2012new
July 24, 2013
This is a continuation of Triumpf of the moon. Very interesting.
Want to read
July 7, 2016START WITH THIS ONE, OF THE HUTTONS
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December 9, 2012like new
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews