The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Myth and Legend

by John Matthews, Caitlín Matthews

The original texts, which are the basis of the study of the Celtic Shamanic tradition, are so often missing from the contemporary practical books on Celtic subjects which fill the shops today. As well as familiar stories, this collection includes texts last translated in rare 19th century journals. The scope of the material ranges through the entire spectrum of Celtic mythology, from the adventures of heroes, to love stories, with tales of magic, warfare, the Otherworld, Faery traditions, shapeshifting and fantastic voyages to strange lands. There is also an introductory overview by the authors, extensive bibliography and resource list and indexes of people, places and themes.

Genres: Mythology, History, Folklore, Paganism, Ireland, Nonfiction, Reference

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2002

About the author

John Matthews is an historian, folklorist and author. He has been a full time writer since 1980 and has produced over ninety books on the Arthurian Legends and Grail Studies, as well as short stories and a volume of poetry. He has devoted much of the past thirty years to the study of Arthurian Traditions and myth in general. His best known and most widely read works are ‘Pirates’ (Carlton/Atheneum), No 1 children’s book on the New York Times Review best-seller list for 22 weeks in 2006, ‘The Grail, Quest for Eternal Life’ (Thames & Hudson, 1981) ‘The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom’ (Element, 1994) and ‘The Winter Solstice’ (Quest Books, 1999) which won the Benjamin Franklin Award for that year. His book ‘Celtic Warrior Chiefs’ was a New York Public Library recommended title for young people.

Reviews

[Marko Vasić · Rating 5 out of 5]

This marvellous Folio Society’s edition is an extraordinary chrestomathy, compiled by Caitlín & John Matthews, a well-known couple in Celtic mythology sphere (especially in Welsh part, for Caitlín wrote an excellent readers’ companion to The Mabinogion– namely Mabon and the Guardians of Celtic Britain: Hero Myths in the Mabinogion). Matthews’ selected the pivotal tales from the each of the four cycles of Celtic mythology, elected out of the most prominent books (Irish Myths and Legends by Lady Augusta Gregory, Ancient Irish Tales by Tom Peete Cross, Legends of the Celts by Frank Delaney, Old Celtic Romances by Patrick Weston Joyce, The Celtic Heroic Age by John T. Koch and, of course, The Mabinogion translated by Lady Charlotte Guest) and meticulously redacted, forming thus a splendid whole and the gist of the tangled and entwined Celtic lore. I truly enjoyed in reading of this collection, finding the versions of the slightly redacted tales far more understandable and more comprehensive than in their books of origin which I’ve previously read (moreover, hither I discovered a version of the legend about Tristan and Iseult that previously didn’t encounter with, although read both Bédier’s (M. Joseph Bédier) and Belarusian versions). Furthermore, outlandish illustrations by Jane Ray quite complemented the entire impression.

[E.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of extracts and texts translated from Old Irish (and a few from Welsh). At times challenging because of the range of names and fragmentary nature of some of the stories, but I appreciated getting a sense of this material.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a full review of this book please see my website: The Encyclopedia of Celtic Myth and Legend by The Matthews

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took over a year, and a lot was confusing, but I am glad to have read this. I do admit, however, that I would have probably enjoyed an adaptation working to edit and harmonize the stories more.

[Saoirse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good selection of stories and I really liked the small introduction to each story, because it gave an overview over what was happening and made everything easier to understand.

[Cicely · Rating 4 out of 5]

scholarly. Still working on it.

[Jack R. Cotner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully interesting, informative. Enjoyed it.

[Arwen17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought it for the pretty pictures and as a great souvenir while visiting some of the closest areas on Earth to Faerie aka Stonehenge and Salisbury.