Customer Reviews

Anglo-Saxon Mythology, Migration & Magic

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This is primarily a critique of the inaccuracy of a previous reviewer and a defense of the work at hand. Mike had written: "For an example, he linked the nature god Ing with the Norse Baldur. This is rather problemic, as Ing (or Yng) was actually the God Freyr." Ing is actually the name of the God, Frea or Freyr is a title meaning Lord, as is Baldur. The reasoning for associating the two is laid out in great detail by Peter North in "Heathen Gods in OE Literature" Linsell was absolutely correct in his association.

Also, he only mentions 7 worlds

The Anglo Saxons only know of seven worlds. In De Temporum Ratione, the Venerable Bede laid out the number of the worlds as seven in pre-christian context, and he may have based this on an earlier Roman model, but there is no evidence for the literary "nine" worlds that many people associate with the Norse based on a corrupted trans. of the Voluspa.
(dimensions, there are 9) and wrongly places them:
Actually the placement mentioned in the original review is based on the Hebrew Kaballah and not anything Norse or Anglo Saxon. Overall this is one of the best introductory works available outside of Swain Wodenings "hammer of the gods"

This book is very useful in starting off in discovering the formative years of the Anglo Saxon people.
Without too much addition of personal views, as the case in so many authors today, Lindsell describes the events, and the culture that leads to the migration.
A previous reviewer, Jarnawulf, misses the point entirely when he points out inaccuracies surrounding the cosmology, for he is looking from a 'traditional Norse' sense. Lindsell has done his homework and offers up questions for the reader to explore should they wish to pursue this period of life.

However this book is not to be taken too lightly, nor too seriously. There is a lot of information that can only be assumed due to various factors, that Lindsell points out. Yet the sources he does borrow from, are sound and are accepted in scholarly circles.

Should you wish to read a book on the formation of England, and have a general oversight to the people involved, yet not be bogged down by overly technical descriptions, this is it. A valuable starting book for anyone interested in original Anglo Saxon culture.

The Book was beautifully illustrated and well written. However there were some decrepencies as far as his mythological interpretations. For an example, he linked the nature god Ing with the Norse Baldur. This is rather problemic, as Ing (or Yng) was actually the God Freyr. Also, he only mentions 7 worlds (dimensions, there are 9) and wrongly places them: the correct placement Osyard(above, extreme/Asgard) Elf Home(above/Losselalfheim) Frost Giant Home(north/Neilheim) Storm Giant Home(east/Jotunheim) Fire Giant Home(south/Muspelheim) Wane Home(west/Vanaheim) Middle Earth(center/Midgard) Dwarf Home (below/Swartalfheim) Hel(below, extreme/Hel)