The Druids and their Heritage

Ward Rutherford

Published by Gordon & Cremonesi, hardcover with dustjacket.

ABOUT THE BOOK

As guardians of the laws and social customs of Celtic Civilization, the Druids codified the ideals upon which Celtic society was based.

Druidic philosophy has been of the utmost importance in shaping our Western ideals. The virtuous warrior, the notion of the benign non-authoritarian ruler, our basic ideas of democracy, egalitarian society and sexual equality, our ideals of romantic love—all spring from Druidic religion.

Ward Rutherford has employed his considerable gifts for writing clear fluent narrative to elucidate the mysteries of the Druids in the light of recent historical research.

Human sacrifice, the Celtic Pantheon and the ideas of the supernatural, the Druidic background to the Arthurian legends, are set in the social context in which the Druids played the role of unifiers and upholders of tradition. From this study emerges an image of the Druids as formulators of the highest values, guardians, seers and sagen, like Merlin in the Arthurian legend, who continue to exercise a powerful influence over us today.