Just Published... The following book may be of interest to you:
Concepts of Arthur, by Thomas Green (288 pages, ISBN
978-0-7524-4461-1), published by Tempus Books at RRP £18.99. Concepts
of Arthur studies the Arthur of British legend and folklore and argues
that he was the mythical defender of Britain from all supernatural
threats, with an intimate connection with the pagan Celtic Otherworld.
More Details:
Concepts of Arthur is a detailed analysis of all the early Welsh and
Breton Arthurian sources, focussing particularly upon the nature of
Arthur and his war-band in these materials. In addition, it also
attempts to answer the controversial question of what were the
ultimate origins of Arthur. As a result, it provides an in-depth and
complete investigation into Arthur's primary role as the defender of
the Island of Britain from all threats, both human and supernatural,
and of his intimate connection with the pagan Celtic Otherworld. For
example, one chapter is devoted to Arthur's companions in the very
earliest poems and tales - in this 'earliest stratum' Arthur is found
associated with former pagan-gods including Lleu, Mabon, Gwydion,
Manawydan and Gwyn ap ****d. It is argued by the author that such
connections as these are no mere coincidence and should not be simply
dismissed or ignored, as they often are. The evidence for Arthur as
historical figure is *****sed in Concepts in light of recent
scholar****p and it is found to be very late, weak and unreliable. As
a result, it is argued that Arthur is best understood as a fictional
figure that a few sources choose to ****tray as a historical from the
ninth century onwards. Finally, Concepts of Arthur asks whether any
original non-historical Arthur was simply a fictional creature of
British folklore, or have we been too ready to reject any notion of
truly mythological origin for him? Making use of the latest academic
studies of Celtic and Indo-European mythologies and deities, Concepts
seeks to test this idea and investigate what kind of deity might have
produced the Arthur we find in our surviving British sources.
Concepts of Arthur is available from all good bookshops and online
retailers, including Amazon.co.uk. For further information and
ordering see http://www.arthuriana.co.uk/concepts
and
http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk
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