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Queens of the Wild

Pagan Goddesses in Christian Europe: An Investigation
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( 354 ratings, 80 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Queens of the Wild by Ronald Hutton explores the presence and significance of female deities and figures in pre-Christian European mythology. The book delves into the influence and transformation of these powerful archetypes as they intersect with cultural landscapes and historical narratives. Hutton provides a fascinating examination of the roles that mythological queens and female figures have played in shaping religious and societal histories.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the enduring influence of women in ancient religions and folklore. Drawing from historical analysis, it explores the powerful roles and symbolism of female figures in pagan traditions, shedding light on their lasting impact and significance.

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A concise history of the goddess-like figures who evade both Christian and pagan traditions, from the medieval period to the present day

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A concise history of the goddess-like figures who evade both Christian and pagan traditions, from the medieval period to the present day.

In this riveting account, renowned scholar Ronald Hutton explores the history of deity-like figures in Christian Europe. Drawing on anthropology, archaeology, literature, and history, Hutton shows how hags, witches, the Fairy Queen, and the Green Man all came to be, and how they changed over the centuries.

Looking closely at four main figuresβ€”Mother Earth, the Fairy Queen, the Mistress of the Night, and the Old Woman of Gaelic traditionβ€”Hutton challenges decades of debate around the female figures who have long been thought versions of pre-Christian goddesses. He makes the compelling case that these goddess figures found in the European imagination did not descend from the pre-Christian ancient world, yet have nothing Christian about them. It was in fact nineteenth-century scholars who attempted to establish the narrative of pagan survival that persists today.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Ronald Hutton's Queens of the Wild receives praise for its engaging and meticulously researched examination of Europe's pagan traditions. The book is lauded for its thoughtful arguments on how pagan female figures have persisted outside of Christian cosmology. Hutton's accessible style, scholarly but open-minded approach, and the elegant illustration and design enhance the reader's exploration of how these figures have influenced culture and belief systems over time.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300273342

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 12 September 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 24 b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Ronald Hutton is professor of history at Bristol University and a leading authority on the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and on the global context of witchcraft beliefs. He is the author of seventeen books.

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