Druids: A History [Hardcover]

Ronald Hutton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

Ronald Hutton's latest book is the first comprehensive study of what people have thought about the ancient Druids and why. Written in a racy and accesible style it is essential reading for everyone interested in exploring our mysterious past.

Most books written on the Druids hitherto have been by archaeologists specialising in the Iron Age, who have occupied a great deal of space trying to find things to say about the 'original' ancient priesthood. Most have then devoted a final section of their books to people who have called themselves Druids since 1700 - until recently with contemptuous dismissal. Hutton's contention is that the sources for the ancient Druids are so few and unreliable that almost nothing certain can be said about them. Instead he reverses the traditional balance of interest to look at the many ways in which Druids have been imagined in Britain since 1500, and what this tells us about modern and early modern society. In the process he achieves many new insights into the development of British national identities, established and 'alternative' religions, literary culture, fraternal organisation and protest movements. He also suggests new ways in which the discipline of archaeology can be perceived - which will delight some practitioners and enrage others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"His [Hutton's] impressive book gives much food for thought about the processes of human invention that pay a part not only in druidism, but in so many other religious traditions."

(Tablet, The )

"...a compact and lively account"

(Gary Lachman Independent, The )

"...detailed but readable...hugely entertaining..."

A longer version of this review also appeared in Pentacle, 2007.

(David V. Barrett Independent, The )

'Hutton's book provides a more accessible introduction to the mysterious Druids'

- David Clarke, BBC History Magazine

(David Clarke )

Image taken from the book printed in Church Times, July 2007

(Church Times )

mention- Book News Inc./ August 2007

"Demons, rebels, or patriots? What have Druids been thought to be by others and themselves through the centuries, and what does this mean for British culture and modern currents and future trends of political protect, alternative religion, and literature? University of Bristol professor Ronald Hutton follows up his Witches, Druids and King Arthur with the Winter 2007 Hambledon Continuum $29.95 history hardcover, The Druids, illustrated in color and black and white, mostly with archival art plus some contemporary photography. Archaeology of the Iron Age reveals some answers to this mysterious age-old fellowship, but studying what people themselves have observed and believed over the past 500 years reveals more. Today's Books put The Druids on The A-List." --Today's Books

"Hutton's conclusions rest on real scholarship. He has read widely - both in history and archaeology - and is also an accomplished amateur anthropologist, conducting fieldwork and extensive interviews."

William Whyte, Times Literary Supplement

(William Whyte Times Literary Supplement )

'Scholarly and very funny'

Evening Standard (London), 2007

"This famously thorough author has researched British Druidism since AD1500, and created an entertaining and new narrative of Druids patriotic (Jedi forging historical consciousness in the new UK), wise, green, demonic, fraternal and rebel."

Revewed in British Archaeology, Sept/Oct 2007

Mention of title in article by author in Independent on Sunday, December 2007.

"...a compact and lively account"

(, Independent, The )

"...detailed but readable...hugely entertaining..."

A longer version of this review also appeared in Pentacle, 2007.

(, Independent, The )

'Hutton's book provides a more accessible introduction to the mysterious Druids'

- David Clarke, BBC History Magazine

(, )

“Demons, rebels, or patriots? What have Druids been thought to be by others and themselves through the centuries, and what does this mean for British culture and modern currents and future trends of political protect, alternative religion, and literature? University of Bristol professor Ronald Hutton follows up his Witches, Druids and King Arthur with the Winter 2007 Hambledon Continuum $29.95 history hardcover, The Druids, illustrated in color and black and white, mostly with archival art plus some contemporary photography. Archaeology of the Iron Age reveals some answers to this mysterious age-old fellowship, but studying what people themselves have observed and believed over the past 500 years reveals more. Today’s Books put The Druids on The A-List.” –Today’s Books

"Hutton's conclusions rest on real scholarship. He has read widely - both in history and archaeology - and is also an accomplished amateur anthropologist, conducting fieldwork and extensive interviews."

William Whyte, Times Literary Supplement

(, Times Literary Supplement )

About the Author

Ronald Hutton is Professor of History at the University of Bristol. As well as several major works on the British Civil War and seventeenth century history he is also the author of the Stations of the Sun, The Triumph of the Moon (Oxford University Press), Shamans and Witches, Druids and King Arthur (Hambledon/Continuum).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hambledon Continuum; 1st ed edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852855339
• ISBN-13: 978-1852855338
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,866,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The mythologising of a myth, October 5, 2007

By 

Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Druids: A History (Hardcover)

Ronald Hutton has published a string of fine works exposing fallacies we've held concerning ancient religions and mysticisms. This volume, the first of a pair on the Druids, is one of the most devastating to prejudiced thinking. At the outset, Hutton reminds us that what we know of the Druids was produced by their enemies. Julius Caesar, likely the most famous of those, declared them the leaders of Gaul's resistance to imperial Roman invasion. Through the years, archaeologists, historians and others have attempted to form a picture of who the Druids actually were. These efforts have produced notable failures, and Hutton has taken a different tack with this book. Instead, in a carefully researched and comprehensive study, he reviews how the Druids have fared at the hands of those wishing to use their myth to create new ones.

In this finely crafted study, the author subdivides the Druid myth into themes that have been used to characterise them over the past few centuries. There are the "Patriotic" and "Rebel" Druids, "Green" ones, while others are "Wise" or "Demonic". Each of these portrayals has been forwarded by scholars, poets, social commentators, and not a few charlatans. "Patriotic" Druids have been adopted by various writers to convey the notion that Druid rebellion against the Romans was a model for others rejecting imperial incursion, in Britain, notably against attempts by the Roman Church to overwhelm Anglican Protestantism. "Rebel" Druids, Hutton considers a modern phenomenon, a form of 20th Century counter-culture - "hippies with a cause". The extensive chapter on the "Wise" Druids, on the other hand, covers a range of views. Druids as teachers, religious leaders and intense observers of Nature granted their image great influence. According to a given writer's agenda, however, this might be seen as either positive or negative. The collection and imparting of knowledge can either contribute to a society, or rend it through challenges to accepted dogmas. Druids who claimed to understand the cosmos better than Christian priests would be viewed as "heathen".

Over the course of the 18th and 19th Centuries in the British Isles, interest in the Druids waned, then waxed. As the threat of domination by the Roman Church evaporated, Druids as leaders of guerilla forces protecting British society faded. As the British Empire began its expansion, however, segments of the United Kingdom found the Druids an inspiration for giving their heritage a sounder foundation. Wales, in particular, used the Druids as the basis for its bardic tradition. One "researcher" went so far as to fabricate an extensive collection of Welsh poetry, a massive invention that went undetected for many years. The Welsh weren't alone in inventing roles for the Druids - the Scots, Germans, Irish and, of course, the British all exhibited high levels of creative skill in using the Druids for their own ends.

Because Hutton intends this book for the general reader, to be followed by a second, more scholarly volume, the present work is almost conversationally written. Each chapter opens with a summary paragraph describing the theme it will address. There are sets of drawings and photographs enhancing the text. These include those by, and of, William Stukeley, one of the leading early figures of British Druidry. Stonehenge figures largely in the narrative, as it was long thought a Druid construction. In modern times, reality notwithstanding, Stonehenge has become the focal point for a Druidic resurgence. Ceremonies, even weddings are held in the area by those thinking they are following Druid rituals. He concludes this work with mild speculation about where Druidry might tend in the future. Although the book is clearly intended for those interested in history, its excellent presentation and worldly viewpoint make it a fine read. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Druids; Again & Again, April 4, 2008

By 

R. D. Rhur (Richmond VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Druids: A History (Hardcover)

Hutton did what Hutton does best, dismantles previously held beliefs about an ancient religion, this time the Druids. His approach is fresh and unique. Honestly, given Hutton's past books, I was skeptical that he could write in a racy, accessible style and I was pleased to find that he could. I even found myself entertained and amused

There are a couple reasons I did not rate this book a full five stars. Firstly, I found myself a bit bored by the rehashing of the same information in each chapter. Hutton divides his topic into 5 Druidic characterizations (Patriotic Druid, Rebel Druid, Green Druid, Wise Druid and Demonic Druid) based upon how he perceives the Druids have been represented in the past and present. Due to the books structure, he reuses the bits and pieces of the same historical information in each chapter. He offers more information in some chapters than others, not recycling everything in all 5 chapters, but I still felt like I rereading previously presented information repeatedly.

More troubling was the lack of what the Celts themselves said about the Druids. He mentions the Celts written record, by the time they been converted to Christianity, and it seemed that this conversion was grounds, in his mind, to totally dismiss this vital information. Hutton mentions another book also entitled The Druids by Peter Ellis, I found this book far more interesting than I did Hutton's book. Ellis discusses the body of Irish works that recorded something of earlier Celtic life and culture. And while we may not be able to believe every detail, it is still a valuable resource for the historic Celts and Druids - one the Hutton ignores.

Finally, I am always suspect of any author who makes his mark almost exclusively through the dismantling of a tradition. I wonder how well respected Hutton would be if he took on a larger tradition, like Christianity...

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical review of druids in modern times, September 7, 2007

By 

S. Corry "Druid" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Druids: A History (Hardcover)

This book by a noted historian takes a look at Druids as they have been conceived of in modern times, and provides arguments for or against these conceptions. I found this book to be an incredible resource for adding to my knowledge about Druids. And, it is written in an enjoyable and often funny style. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of the Druids.