Land of Mist and Magic: The Myths and Legends that Shaped Britain

Land of Mist and Magic collects and retells stories of Britain, from the founding myths and patron saints to ghosts, fairy changelings, giants and demon dogs. It is a journey through Celtic Scotland, the kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon heptarchy and medieval Wales. These tales have bound together nations, blurred Pagan and Christian traditions, lent their names to landscapes, and given guidance and comfort to generations.  

In these pages, hero and beast, celebrated and forgotten, stand shoulder to shoulder: mermaids swim with the poetry-loving blue men of Minch; Robin Hood hides out with the less-altruistic outlaw Twm Siôn Cati; Arthur pulls the sword from the stone while Havelok the Dane’s royal birth is revealed by an unearthly light that shines directly from his sleeping mouth. Gathered from episodes in grand, quasi-historical medieval epics and the anecdotal folklore of local regions, Philip Parker beautifully retells these larger-than-life tales with humanity and insight.