What do you think?
Rate this book
The Druids
A comprehensive insight into Druids in Britain since 1500, with hundreds of sources never used before. The first major overview of the subject for over 30 years.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Ronald Hutton
53 books405 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 25, 2009
Back when this book was being publicized just before it came out I was itching to get it. I even pre-ordered it, because I had read all of Ronald Hutton's books and I knew the kind of scholarly study that goes into them. I couldn't wait for the day it arrived and when it did, I dropped all the other books that I was reading and started to read it.
What first struck me was the introduction. It seems that this book was written with people who thought that his other books were “too hard” for them to read. So the book was made “simple”. He also said that another book was forthcoming with academic people in mind and more information then this book. I didn't like that. I had expected that this book would be like his other books, full of scholarly information and proofs, still it was fun to read at times and had some good information.
Then I was hit by the way he had divided his book. The division was not based on chronological divisions but rather on “types of druids”. As a result you had information that was recycled in every chapter. Not everything was recycled of course and some chapters had new information that the other chapters didn't, still it got me a little bored.
There was also the fact that he ignored written works by the Celts that came after Christianity, and while I agree that not everything written about the Druids after Christianity came is accurate, it is not a basis to ignore it completely.
Still the book does go into the history of the Druids that came after the 1700s to the present which is ignored by most of the well respected authors in the druid field or if not ignored marginalized. That in my eyes was a redeeming quality.
If you are a beginner in the field of Druidry then please do not read this book until you have read the others by Miranda Green, Peter Ellis, and Barry Cunliffe.
What first struck me was the introduction. It seems that this book was written with people who thought that his other books were “too hard” for them to read. So the book was made “simple”. He also said that another book was forthcoming with academic people in mind and more information then this book. I didn't like that. I had expected that this book would be like his other books, full of scholarly information and proofs, still it was fun to read at times and had some good information.
Then I was hit by the way he had divided his book. The division was not based on chronological divisions but rather on “types of druids”. As a result you had information that was recycled in every chapter. Not everything was recycled of course and some chapters had new information that the other chapters didn't, still it got me a little bored.
There was also the fact that he ignored written works by the Celts that came after Christianity, and while I agree that not everything written about the Druids after Christianity came is accurate, it is not a basis to ignore it completely.
Still the book does go into the history of the Druids that came after the 1700s to the present which is ignored by most of the well respected authors in the druid field or if not ignored marginalized. That in my eyes was a redeeming quality.
If you are a beginner in the field of Druidry then please do not read this book until you have read the others by Miranda Green, Peter Ellis, and Barry Cunliffe.
October 3, 2008
Written with a lighter touch than Hutton's academic work, this is a book meant to be accessible to a wider audience. As a consequence, its liberally sprinkled with the author's wonderful humour and had me laughing rather a lot.
There isn't much evidence for what the Druids of 2000 years ago got up to, and what we do have is problematic. Rather than chew this over at any length, Hutton concentrates on the history of modern druidry, starting around 1500 and going through to the repsent day. Rather than working chronologically, he explores different notions of what druidry means - 'wise druids', 'patriotic druids', 'green druids', 'rebel druids', 'demonic druids,' etc.
A fascinating and very readable book.
There isn't much evidence for what the Druids of 2000 years ago got up to, and what we do have is problematic. Rather than chew this over at any length, Hutton concentrates on the history of modern druidry, starting around 1500 and going through to the repsent day. Rather than working chronologically, he explores different notions of what druidry means - 'wise druids', 'patriotic druids', 'green druids', 'rebel druids', 'demonic druids,' etc.
A fascinating and very readable book.
April 12, 2009
Too difficult to read even half. I now know that the last 400 years have been filled with utter scam artists, liars and people with pure ideas of fantasy about the Druids. Maybe this book was made more accessible to the public, but of absolutely no interest to me. I already knew that Druidry is mostly based on fantasy, learning of the lies and the scamming was extremely depresing and of no use in my life.
Read
July 28, 2011The Druids were Celtic Religious leaders who were wiped out by the Romans. Not much is known about them as their teachings were oral rather than written. They left behind no written records of themselves. The only thing modern scholars have to go on is written records left behind by their foes, which were not too complimentary.
In the early 1500's European Nations started to become interested in the Druids. The Germans were the first, although the Druids were not Germanic. They claimed that the Druids were there ancestors and forebears. Next France jumped on the bandwagon. Eventually it would get to Wales, England and Scotland. Although Ireland was were the Celts last settled, Ireland never became to interested in the Druids. Later Britain would come to have an interest in the Druids. Britain today is the country that seems to be most enthusiastic about Druids. Wales through their poetry and mythology seemed to go back and forth with the Druids.
In European Literature the Druids have taken a variety of roles. The first role is that of patriotic leaders. They were the ones who blessed the soldiers before they went to fight and they are also the ones who let out the battle call. The Romans when they took over Anglesy supposedly encountered a group off wild druids consisting of males and females. They put up a wild fight fight before they were subdued. Of course these images of Druids come from the annals of Roman Historians.
Another image of the Druids is that is that of Wisemen. Roman reports, which somewhat contradict each other , also depict the Druids as hanging out in the Forests and groves dispensing wisdom and judgment under an oak tree. They were even
said to have schools out in the forest. In the Mythology there are three types of Druids. Certain ones were Bards or singers, the second type ovates were ones who read oracle. Druids were wisemen or religious leaders. The Druids were also astronomers, mathematicians and philosophers. They were said to have become followers of Pythagoreas.
The third image of Druids is that of environmentalist. They were ones who had knowledge of nature and herbs and were into preserving nature. A final image was that off the Demonic Druid. They are seen as sacrificing young children and women in order to ensure for a good crop. This was started by the Romans and later perpetrated by later British writers. The Roman said that the Druids would load people into a wicker man and set it alight. Ussually this consisted of criminals and prisoners of war. If that was not available then they would use citizens. European literature took it even a step further and portrayed them as forest wanderers who would kidnap children and make them into Druids or sacrifice them.
In the 1700's Fraternal organizations sprang up all over Britain . At first they were set up as organization that had entertainment, insurance policies and funds to help those in need. These groups modeled themselves after the Masons some of them flourish today. Later on the Druids would start incorporating religious rituals into their format. Many of these were learned from the Golden Dawn Magickal Order. These people has celebration at the Stonehenge.
This book dealt with perceptions of the Druids not who they really were as that would be really hard to do with the lack of records left behind. Many people have speculated on who the Druids were. Some thought they were Phoenicians or Hebrews who practices a corrupted for of the Middle Eastern faith. Other thought that they were Japhetites who came to prepare the way for the acceptance of Christ. Later this view would change and people would see the Druids as those who opposed the true faith
In the early 1500's European Nations started to become interested in the Druids. The Germans were the first, although the Druids were not Germanic. They claimed that the Druids were there ancestors and forebears. Next France jumped on the bandwagon. Eventually it would get to Wales, England and Scotland. Although Ireland was were the Celts last settled, Ireland never became to interested in the Druids. Later Britain would come to have an interest in the Druids. Britain today is the country that seems to be most enthusiastic about Druids. Wales through their poetry and mythology seemed to go back and forth with the Druids.
In European Literature the Druids have taken a variety of roles. The first role is that of patriotic leaders. They were the ones who blessed the soldiers before they went to fight and they are also the ones who let out the battle call. The Romans when they took over Anglesy supposedly encountered a group off wild druids consisting of males and females. They put up a wild fight fight before they were subdued. Of course these images of Druids come from the annals of Roman Historians.
Another image of the Druids is that is that of Wisemen. Roman reports, which somewhat contradict each other , also depict the Druids as hanging out in the Forests and groves dispensing wisdom and judgment under an oak tree. They were even
said to have schools out in the forest. In the Mythology there are three types of Druids. Certain ones were Bards or singers, the second type ovates were ones who read oracle. Druids were wisemen or religious leaders. The Druids were also astronomers, mathematicians and philosophers. They were said to have become followers of Pythagoreas.
The third image of Druids is that of environmentalist. They were ones who had knowledge of nature and herbs and were into preserving nature. A final image was that off the Demonic Druid. They are seen as sacrificing young children and women in order to ensure for a good crop. This was started by the Romans and later perpetrated by later British writers. The Roman said that the Druids would load people into a wicker man and set it alight. Ussually this consisted of criminals and prisoners of war. If that was not available then they would use citizens. European literature took it even a step further and portrayed them as forest wanderers who would kidnap children and make them into Druids or sacrifice them.
In the 1700's Fraternal organizations sprang up all over Britain . At first they were set up as organization that had entertainment, insurance policies and funds to help those in need. These groups modeled themselves after the Masons some of them flourish today. Later on the Druids would start incorporating religious rituals into their format. Many of these were learned from the Golden Dawn Magickal Order. These people has celebration at the Stonehenge.
This book dealt with perceptions of the Druids not who they really were as that would be really hard to do with the lack of records left behind. Many people have speculated on who the Druids were. Some thought they were Phoenicians or Hebrews who practices a corrupted for of the Middle Eastern faith. Other thought that they were Japhetites who came to prepare the way for the acceptance of Christ. Later this view would change and people would see the Druids as those who opposed the true faith
June 21, 2013
This book actually will tell you quite a bit about what is known about the ancient Druids: rather little, actually, and much of the evidence admits of many interpretations. Not that that stopped anyone from confidence. Which you will learn about in rather more detail, because it is the main subject of the book: the fascinating subject of what modern people have done with the idea of Druids. The ancient Druids are brought to explain what, if anything, actually substantiates the various types of druids, which gives it another interest, in watching how evidence can be put together, and picked apart, in support of various historical theses. It also discusses the evolution of ideas about pre-history, including how the Druids came to be viewed as the latest of pagan religions in Britain, but also in the context of discussing the types of treatment the Druid has gotten, over the centuries.
The Patriotic Druid, who encourages his countrymen in resistance to the invaders --the Romans, of course. Oddly enough, there are only a couple of references to Druids doing this, both in Tacitus, and neither one particularly reliable. Julius Caesar writes about Druids when discussing the customs and practices of Gaul, making them out as extremely important figures, but when he writes about his actual conquests, he never even mentions them. Odd. No one's come with a good explanation for that. But that didn't stop various early modern figures in Germany and France from using them as patriotic inspiration, and later British ones, which can feature both a unified patriotism, or a separatist one, in Scotland, or Wales, or England at different times, though not Ireland. Incidentally -- if you thought that the Druids weren't in Germany, you were right.
The Wise Druid. Alluded to in ancient writings, by people far off from the Druids. Put through some interesting convolutions by people trying to retrieve the wisdom of people who left no writings.
The Green Druid, the fellow who lived in harmony with nature and had a special association with trees. Found in some Roman writings, where it appears to be a way of showing what savages they were. A generation or so after writers didn't mention any such connection; perhaps persecution had driven them to this. On the other hand, writers who ran with this generally portrayed it as a fundamental trait.
The Demonic Druid. The monster of human sacrifice. This one, actually, there's a good bit of evidence for. Unfortunately, it's evidence of very dubious quality, being not only at least second hand but from the hands of people with obvious motives to slander them. And even it has been vastly exaggerated in the hands of writers out to write sensationally. Roman writers agreed that the Druids used criminals as sacrifices, and some said that lacking enough, they would use the innocent as well. Sensationalist writers assumed that they had a natural preference for the innocent, especially women and children. This chapter also delves into the archaeological evidence, since it's the only Druid who could be supported -- or undermined -- by such evidence. Which can, in fact, go either way.
The Fraternal Druid. Which actually has no roots in the past at all. Clubs and associations that used the name Druid.
The Rebel Druid. If there was one thing certain about ancient Druids, it was that they were part and parcel of their societies. Nevertheless rebels and eccentrics have frequently taken up the name as part of their revolt against society in general.
He concludes with some admitted speculation about what paths the notion of Druids might take in the future..
The Patriotic Druid, who encourages his countrymen in resistance to the invaders --the Romans, of course. Oddly enough, there are only a couple of references to Druids doing this, both in Tacitus, and neither one particularly reliable. Julius Caesar writes about Druids when discussing the customs and practices of Gaul, making them out as extremely important figures, but when he writes about his actual conquests, he never even mentions them. Odd. No one's come with a good explanation for that. But that didn't stop various early modern figures in Germany and France from using them as patriotic inspiration, and later British ones, which can feature both a unified patriotism, or a separatist one, in Scotland, or Wales, or England at different times, though not Ireland. Incidentally -- if you thought that the Druids weren't in Germany, you were right.
The Wise Druid. Alluded to in ancient writings, by people far off from the Druids. Put through some interesting convolutions by people trying to retrieve the wisdom of people who left no writings.
The Green Druid, the fellow who lived in harmony with nature and had a special association with trees. Found in some Roman writings, where it appears to be a way of showing what savages they were. A generation or so after writers didn't mention any such connection; perhaps persecution had driven them to this. On the other hand, writers who ran with this generally portrayed it as a fundamental trait.
The Demonic Druid. The monster of human sacrifice. This one, actually, there's a good bit of evidence for. Unfortunately, it's evidence of very dubious quality, being not only at least second hand but from the hands of people with obvious motives to slander them. And even it has been vastly exaggerated in the hands of writers out to write sensationally. Roman writers agreed that the Druids used criminals as sacrifices, and some said that lacking enough, they would use the innocent as well. Sensationalist writers assumed that they had a natural preference for the innocent, especially women and children. This chapter also delves into the archaeological evidence, since it's the only Druid who could be supported -- or undermined -- by such evidence. Which can, in fact, go either way.
The Fraternal Druid. Which actually has no roots in the past at all. Clubs and associations that used the name Druid.
The Rebel Druid. If there was one thing certain about ancient Druids, it was that they were part and parcel of their societies. Nevertheless rebels and eccentrics have frequently taken up the name as part of their revolt against society in general.
He concludes with some admitted speculation about what paths the notion of Druids might take in the future..
February 28, 2013
Hutton's book is an interesting survey on Druidry - past, present, and somewhat into the future. As his foreword notes, the book was written on a level that is far more accessible to the average reader - purposefully avoiding academic writing style. Therefore, anyone reading his book "Triumph of the Moon" will easily note the differences in styles. If you have had the chance to hear Hutton speak at length on a subject, you can definitely find his sense of humor sprinkled throughout. For me, the last two chapters - "Rebel Druids" and "Future Druids" were certainly the best and most interesting reading - but much of the previous chapters also had areas of interest for me as well. Overall, a very good introduction to some of the history of Druidry.
July 4, 2011
This is a very informative book. I enjoyed reading it at our Celtic Book Discussion Group. I learned a lot about the history of Druids in Britain. It would have been nice to have the final chapter be about other Druid groups from around the world.
April 14, 2014
The message is that we know virtually nothing about ancient Druids at all, and that much of what people thought they knew was forged by Iolo Morganwg. The book goes through different "types" of Druid, and how they have been presented through literature and different orders. Fairly interesting.
April 26, 2011
Great history of modern druidry.
August 11, 2011
Great history of modern druidry.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews