The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies
This book tells the fascinating story of the origin of our ideas about wizards, witches and fairies. We all have a clear mental image of the pointed hats worn by such individuals, which are based upon actual headgear dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age. Carefully sifting through old legends, archaeological evidence and modern research in genetics, Simon Webb shows us how our notions about fairies and elves, together with human workers of magic, have evolved over the centuries.

This exploration of folklore, backed by the latest scientific findings, will present readers with the image of a lost world; the one used as the archetype for fantasy adventures from The Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones. In the process, the real nature of wizards will be revealed and their connection with the earliest European cultures thoroughly documented.

After reading this book, nobody will ever be able to view Gandalf the wizard in the same light and even old fairy tales such as Beauty and the Beast will take on a richer and deeper meaning. In short, our perception of wizards, witches and fairies will be altered forever.
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The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies
This book tells the fascinating story of the origin of our ideas about wizards, witches and fairies. We all have a clear mental image of the pointed hats worn by such individuals, which are based upon actual headgear dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age. Carefully sifting through old legends, archaeological evidence and modern research in genetics, Simon Webb shows us how our notions about fairies and elves, together with human workers of magic, have evolved over the centuries.

This exploration of folklore, backed by the latest scientific findings, will present readers with the image of a lost world; the one used as the archetype for fantasy adventures from The Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones. In the process, the real nature of wizards will be revealed and their connection with the earliest European cultures thoroughly documented.

After reading this book, nobody will ever be able to view Gandalf the wizard in the same light and even old fairy tales such as Beauty and the Beast will take on a richer and deeper meaning. In short, our perception of wizards, witches and fairies will be altered forever.
34.95 In Stock
The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies

The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies

by Simon Webb
The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies

The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies

by Simon Webb

Hardcover

$34.95 
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Overview

This book tells the fascinating story of the origin of our ideas about wizards, witches and fairies. We all have a clear mental image of the pointed hats worn by such individuals, which are based upon actual headgear dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age. Carefully sifting through old legends, archaeological evidence and modern research in genetics, Simon Webb shows us how our notions about fairies and elves, together with human workers of magic, have evolved over the centuries.

This exploration of folklore, backed by the latest scientific findings, will present readers with the image of a lost world; the one used as the archetype for fantasy adventures from The Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones. In the process, the real nature of wizards will be revealed and their connection with the earliest European cultures thoroughly documented.

After reading this book, nobody will ever be able to view Gandalf the wizard in the same light and even old fairy tales such as Beauty and the Beast will take on a richer and deeper meaning. In short, our perception of wizards, witches and fairies will be altered forever.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781399000079
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 02/03/2022
Pages: 208
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x (d)

About the Author

Simon Webb is the author of a number of non—fiction books, ranging from academic works on education to popular history. He works as a consultant on the subject of capital punishment to television companies and filmmakers and also writes for various magazines and newspapers; including the Times Educational Supplement, Daily Telegraph and the Guardian.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vi

Introduction viii

Chapter 1 The Magical Realm 1

Chapter 2 Tales from the Magical Realm 10

Chapter 3 Echoes of the Past 25

Chapter 4 The Coming of the Yamnaya 40

Chapter 5 In Search of The Horned God 55

Chapter 6 First Wizard 68

Chapter 7 The Wild Hunt 80

Chapter 8 The Place of Wizards in Society 87

Chapter 9 Of Cauldrons and Wands 102

Chapter 10 On the Nature of Fairies 114

Chapter 11 How Christianity made Wizardry Disreputable 132

Chapter 12 Ritual Sacrifice in Modern Britain 147

Chapter 13 Our Cultural Heritage 164

Appendix: The Magical Year 175

Bibliography 187

Index 189

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