Product Description

Important collections of Celtic folklore and one of the most important collections of Welsh folk and fairy legend, including many stories of fairy women who become wives and lovers. Many of these are from the lakes of Wales. John Rhys collected these tales from the Welsh speaking people. Their relationship to the Medieval manuscript material such as the Mabinogion and the Arthurian romances is amazing. The Lady of the Lake is a sister to many of the Lake Fairies here discussed. Included are a list of bibliographical references and a geographical list of authorities.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3607924 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 718 pages

From the Publisher
At the time of original publication in 1901, John Rhys, D. Litt., was Professor of Celtic and Principal of Jesus College, Oxford University.

About the Author
About the Author:

"Sir John Rhys, (21 June 1840 - 17 December 1915) was a Welsh scholar, fellow of the British Academy, celticist and the first Professor of Celtic at Oxford University." (Quote from wikipedia.org)

Customer Reviews

A Book of Impressive Scholarship
Celtic Folklore : Welsh and Manx is one of those beautifully written books that makes you grateful: grateful that an author of such brilliance devoted his energy to a topic of interest to you; grateful that an accomplished scholar was able, in the last quarter of the nineteenth century to interview old Welsh and Manx folk whose recollections reached back to the period prior to 1825, and who recalled the stories of their own grandparents, thus bringing us a view of folkways now over 200 years old;and finally, grateful that this wonderful book is still in print. Sir John was Professor of Celtic and Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, at the turn of the century. He lived at just the right time, and I think I can say the world he wrote of is very nearly gone now. At the period when he did his field work very evident remains of the pre-Christian past were discernable, and these he records in wonderful detail. Snap up a copy of Celtic Folklore : Welsh and Manx while you can.

Celtic Folklore: Welsh & Manx Vol 1 & 2 by John Rhys
This is a two volume set originally published in 1901. Covers folklore, beliefs, customs, superstions of people at that time in rural Wales and the Isle of Mann. This is probably 80% or more dealing with the Welsh and covers things like beliefs in fairies, spirits living in wells, trees and lakes and the stories surrounding them, plus lots more. Rhys also goes into the racial aspects of folklore and myth. One thing that made this book great is Rhys actually went to the most isolated places where these beliefs were part of everyday life and interviewed and talked with people compiling first hand reports.

I'm a big believer that folklore and folk customs in the British Isles are a vital source for understanding the Pagan religions of the British Isles because I think much of this stuff is a direct surviving part of Heathenry. These two volumes are one of, if not the, best source for Welsh folk customs.