The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Myth and Legend A Definitive Sourcebook of Magic, Vision, and Lore

by Matthews, John; Matthews, Caitlin

• ISBN13: 9781592283026
• ISBN10: 1592283020
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-03-01
• Publisher: Lyons Press

Summary

In Encyclopedia of Celtic Myth and Legend, authors John and Caitlin Matthews have compiled one of the most comprehensive collections of Celtic lore ever, drawing from every known source from the Celts' well-known classics, to neglected sources and forgotten archives. Their fresh translations and lucid commentary make this an essential text for students, researchers, and indeed, for anyone who has ever felt drawn to the Celtic spirit. The tales and poems are arranged thematically in keeping with the bardic traditions from which they come, and transport the reader to the shores of distant lands, populated by heroes and heroines, gods and kings, fairy folk, maidens and magicians. Here the ancient legends unfold, telling of battles and births, voyages and visions, love and longing, wooings and wisdom, dreams and vengeance. This collection of Celtic lore represents the lifetime's work of two internationally acclaimed writers. It is their hope that it will inspire those who wish to inherit the "bright knowledge"-the glefisa-of the ancestors, that they may illumine their own lives with this wisdom and, in turn, pass it on to their descendants.

Author Biography

John and Caitlin Matthews are internationally renowned for their research into the Celtic tradition. As cofounders of The Foundation for Inspirational and Oracular Studies, they teach worldwide. Their many books include The Celtic Shaman, Singing the Soul Back Home, and The Winter Solstice.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. viii
Introduction: The Bright Knowledge	p. 1
Invasions
Selections from The Book of Invasions (Lebor Gabala Erenn)	p. 11
The First Battle of Moytura (Cath Mag Tuiread Cong)	p. 17
The Second Battle of Moytura (Cath Mag Tuiread)	p. 44
Conceptions and Births
The Conception of Conchobor (Compert Conchobor)	p. 67
The Birth of Cormac (Compert Cormaic mac Airt)	p. 72
The Birth of Noidiu Nae-Mbreathach (Compert Noidiu)	p. 77
Cattle Raids
The Cattle Raid of Flidais (Tain Bo Flidais)	p. 83
The Morrigan's Cow-Raid (Tain Bo Regamma)	p. 87
The Cattle Raid of Cooley (Tain Bo Cuailgne)	p. 91
Voyages
The Voyage of Bran, son of Febal (Imram Brainn mac Febal)	p. 113
The Voyage of Mael Duin (Imram Mael Duin)	p. 123
Hero Tales
The Boyhood Deeds of Cu Chulainn (Compert Con Cu Chulainn)	p. 153
Six Tales of Mongan	p. 166
Conception of Mongan (Compert Mongan)
The Pursuit of Dubh-Lacha of the White Arms (Toruigheacht (Duibhe Lacha Laimh-ghile)
The Death of Fothad Airgdech (Aided Fothaid Airgdig)
The Alms of Mongan (Scel Mongan)
The Telling of Mongan's Frenzy (Tucait Baile Mongan)
The Curse upon Mongan's Lineage (from the Yellow Book of Lecan)
Dreams and Visions
The Dream of Oengus (Aislinge Oenguso)	p. 189
The Sick-Bed of Cu Chulainn (Serglige Con Cu Chulainn)	p. 195
Battles
The Battle of Findchorad (Cath Findchorad)	p. 221
The Battle of Mag Mucrama (Cath Maige Mucrama)	p. 230
Wisdom and Lore
Fingen's Nightwatch (Airne Fingein)	p. 245
Selections from Cormac's Glossary (Sanas Cormaic)	p. 256
Sieges, Burnings and Curses
The Destruction of Dind Rig (Orgain Denna Rig)	p. 275
The Siege of Howth (Talland Etair)	p. 281
The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel (Togail Bruidne da Derga)	p. 289
The Debility of the Ulstermen (Ces Noinden Ulad)	p. 325
Love and Longing
The Story of Baile of the Clear Voice (Scel Baili Binnberlaig)	p. 331
Trystan and Essyllt (Ystori Trystan)	p. 334
The Noble Youth (Y Melwas)	p. 340
Wooings
The Wooing of Emer (Tochmarc Emer)	p. 345
Wooing of Luaine and the Death of Athirne (Tochmarc Luaine agus Aidedh Aithairne Andso)	p. 369
Adventures
The Adventure of Eachdach's Sons (Echtra mac nEchach Muigmedoin)	p. 379
The Adventures of Connla (Echtra Connla)	p. 385
Feasts and Visitations
Bricriu's Feast (Fled Bricriu)	p. 391
The Excuse of Guile's Daughter (Ceasacht Inghine Guile)	p. 426
Exiles
The Exile of Conall Corc (Longes Chonaill Corc)	p. 437
The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu (Longes mac nUislenn)	p. 444
Deaths
The Death of Conchobar mac Nessa (Aided Conchobar meic Nessa)	p. 457
The Death of Conn Cetchathach (Aided Conn Cetchathach)	p. 461
The Death of Cu Chulainn (Brislech mor Maige Muirthemne)	p. 468
The Story List	p. 476
Glossary	p. 484
Bibliography	p. 494
Thematic Index	p. 500
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.